Maria Cecilia Umbay/Bambi Yolangco Casaje

Many things can be said about Maria Cecilia Yolangco Casaje. Also known as "Umbay/Bambi" by her friends and family, she was a friendly, energetic, empathic and decisive woman. Her compassionate nature would always shine through, revealing her charm, warmth and conscientious demeanor. She was warmhearted, gentle and organized in all the things she sought to accomplish. Bambi was a mentor, a natural “teacher” capable of seeing things clearly, leading others and bringing out the best in all of those around her. She generally had a focus on harmony and peace.

Her parents were Guillermo and Ligaya Casaje. Bambi was raised in the Philippines. When she was young, Bambi's friends and family found that “nurturing” and “loving” were perfect words to describe her. Even as a child, Bambi demonstrated strong qualities of self-confidence, perceptive ability and a disposition that was enjoyable to those around her.

Bambi grew up with four siblings. She had one older brother, Robert, and three younger siblings, Jose, Julie, and Cristina. Not only serving as just an older sister, her motherly qualities perpetually brought harmony, understanding, and a sense of peace to the family. Bambi carried these traits into her adult life and served as one of many reasons why family and friends found her so loving and delightful to be around. Bambi was a person who genuinely understood and cared for others, making powerful connections with those she knew.

Bambi’s quality of being a caring and tolerant person who was very accepting of others translated to being a good mother to her children. She shared these values with her two children, her son, Marvin, and her daughter, Maricris. Her children always loved her and she was completely and unconditionally devoted to them.

Bambi experienced success in her work life over and over again. Her primary occupation was a Quality Assurance Specialist for Abbott Laborites in Menlo Park, California. She always made the effort to understand what was needed at work, and was well known by her colleagues as a team player. Bambi took pride in managing her professional responsibilities and seemed to always know what was necessary to successfully complete a project. She was one to take the initiative and her skills at working cooperatively were highly valued. Bambi continually sought to learn what her co-workers did well and how they were most effective, a talent that enabled her to help them develop their own potential.

Outside of her work, Bambi took great pleasure in her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were cooking, going out with friends, dancing, and watching her favorite TV shows on the GMA network. She enjoyed sharing her passions with others and could singularly focus on one hobby at a time.

Bambi enjoyed traveling, and because she was so well organized, she would take on the responsibility of planning and scheduling all of the family vacations. Her gift for keeping things lively meant that vacations with Bambi were always enjoyable. Favorite vacation was going to the Philippines during the 2015 holiday to visit her sister and father.

Bambi passed away on June 5, 2016 at at her residence in Sunnyvale, California. Bambi fought a brave battle against breast cancer. She is survived by her children, Marvin and Maricris; her father Guillermo; her brothers and sisters Robert, Jose, Julie and Cristina.

Throughout her life, Bambi was a gregarious and enthusiastic woman. She was generous in sharing her personal attributes, giving and helping those she knew and loved. She would often fill the role of a Mom while bringing out the best in everyone. She was imaginative, original, tender hearted and easy to get along with. Bambi leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives she touched will dearly remember Maria Cecilia Yolangco Casaje.

Arrangements under the direction of Lima Family Milpitas-Fremont Mortuary, Fremont, CA.