Marcelina E. Motas

Marcelina Emperador Motas was born on July 12th 1935 in a town called Barrio Capas, La Union of the Ilocos Region on the Island of Luzon, Philippines. The daughter of Rufina Villanueva Emperador and Placido Ukol Emperador. Sister of Florencio (Tanacio) and Bernarda (Leoning), Wife of Hermenegildo B. Motas Sr. (Erning), Mother to Melanie, Hermen, and Marites, Mother In-law to Bryan, Rory, and Jun, Grandmother to Ashlyn, Devin, Austin, Skylar, Malaysia, and Hayden.

Marcelina grew up in a farm and went to school in Agoo La Union with her siblings and cousins. A daughter of a farmer/blacksmith, she was the delight of her father and mother’s eyes and was loved by all who met her. Her siblings loved, protected and cherished her as well. During WWII, the family experienced extreme hardship yet they survived the devastation of war. Soon after, Marcelina’s family moved to Agoo, La Union and she completed her studies. Marcelina went on to college to study Midwifery at Saint Anne’s Hospital in the city of Padakan. She met her future husband Hermenegildo B. Motas Sr. (Erning) and soon they were wed.

Marcelina bore 3 children that she loved unconditionally. In 1972, Erning moved to America to pursue and establish a better life for Marcelina and their 3 children. In 1974, Marcelina and her 2 younger children joined her husband in San Francisco, California. They eventually made their home in the Visitation Valley area. The eldest child soon joined the family and they were whole family again. Marcelina worked for 23 years for Holiday Inn where she met lifelong friends and made memories. The family moved in 1987 to Fremont, California where they still reside.

Marcelina loved her family unconditionally and she counted them as the Lord’s greatest blessing to her. She was humble, kind, generous, friendly, caring, and most of all she loved everyone. Her family was always her number one priority. Marcelina was a beautiful soul, an angel and great friend. She loved visiting new places, eating new things, enjoying the company of others, fashion, movies, soap operas, cooking for others, flowers especially red roses, delighted in her grandchildren, and especially loved her one and only Erning.

At 4:00am January 9th, 2016 Marcelina passed from this life to be reborn in the hereafter. She now walks again with family who have gone before us, she no longer feels pain of mortality, she will know everlasting peace, and live in Heaven under the glory of Jesus and God the Father forever.