Felicitas Navarro Bantug

Felicitas, "Esing" and Ma to her children, grandchildren and great grandchild, was born on Oct 24, 1932 to the late Carmen Militante Navarro and the late Dr Jose Yu Navarro. She grew up in the heart of Manila, Philippines, and was a young schoolgirl during the Japanese occupation of that country during World War II. The war, however, did not stop her from pursuing higher education, and she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and an Associate Degree in Bookkeeping from the College of the Holy Spirit. She also learned to speak Japanese and French.

Felicitas was married to the late Capt. Nestor G. Bantug with whom she has 8 children - Cynthia, Diana, Susan, Renee (deceased), Cecile, Stella, Marie, and Alan, 11 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.

She was widowed at 41 years of age, and took on the additional role of breadwinner as a business and career woman in addition to single parenting.

Steadfast in her Catholic Faith, Felicitas had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and regularly prayed the Holy Rosary and attended the Novena to the Mother of Perpetual Help.

She moved to the United States to join some of her children and grandchildren, and became an American citizen. She took up residences in New Jersey, Idaho and California, and vacationed in Canada, Utah and Nevada. She traveled to Hongkong, Singapore, Hawaii and Japan.

Over many happy and memorable years, she selflessly cared for her children and grandchildren, celebrated countless birthdays, attended graduations and weddings, and was always there whenever anybody needed a helping hand. Everyone, no matter where they were, got a gift from Ma on Christmas.

She was a fan of American culture icons I Love Lucy, Monk, Golden Girls, and the Hallmark Channel. And shopping at Ann Taylor always put a big smile on her face.

Felicitas passed away peacefully in the Grace of Our Lord, early on March 8, 2023 at home, as she wished, surrounded by her loved ones.

Ma will be fondly remembered for her strength and courage, her unconditional love and her unwavering Faith.

She will be greatly missed!