Celia Bautista Hinsche

February 12th, 1925, Celia was born in Manila, Philippines, to Margarita Sosa & Enrique Bautista; She was one of nine children, eighth in their birth order, and one of four girls. They had very humble beginnings and the children were educated through grade school, which was quite common at the time. The need was to be helping out at home.

She was a sports enthusiast and played volleyball on her school team and was a self described ‘tomboy’ who liked to climb trees. WWII came and the Filipinos were terrorized by bombs dropping…soldiers freely walking the streets or hiding in their yards from American planes overhead, and nightmares that their home may be confiscated. Celia’s mother, known as Lolay, skillfully hid her beautiful daughters anywhere she could, whenever they heard soldiers nearby.

After the war, Celia was on a date at the newly opened “Riviera Club,” where she met the owner who introduced himself as Doc Shaffer. He invited her to come back, and as was the custom, she returned to the Riviera with a significant family entourage as her chaperones. She was an exotic 22 year old, swept off her feet by the distinguished older American (known while emprisoned for 3 years, as the “Angel of Santo Tomas”) They clicked-and the rest as they say, is history. They soon married, and had their dream come true…a girl first, and then a boy. They lived in Manila in comfort and style with her family close by during their first five years. Her husband, who had earlier introduced himself as ‘Doc Shaffer’ (a moniker used in his amateur boxing career) was actually named Otto Hinsche.

Otto had another dream…retire from Club life and move his young family back to the States… to sunny California and Beverly Hills, away from his boyhood roots of snow & slush in Hoboken, New Jersey.

In 1955 they boarded the SS President Cleveland and set out to begin their new lives in the US.

Celia readily stepped into her new role as mother and homemaker. In America she learned how to drive and thoroughly loved it…always the appointed driver, she happily chauffeured teachers, friends, nuns, priests and relatives all over Southern California…anyone who needed a ride.

She was also a consummate cook who quickly became famous for it. Everyone loved Celia’s cooking, most especially her husband and son, who enjoyed three formal meals a day…on time.

One of her own personal dreams was to help other members of her immediate family come to America.

Otto and Celia started petitioning for that to happen almost immediately upon their arrival here. Finally, 22 years later, her favorite brother Silvio, (Tito Ading,) was able to immigrate here solo…Eventually, one by one, he brought his six children and their children to join him here in the States.

As part of the American dream, Celia and Otto saw their son Billy enjoy early success as a musician and recording artist. He appeared on stage, screen and television, and toured the world. Daughter Annie married and had two sons…Jonah and Justyn. When their grandsons were born, Otto became ‘Pop’ and she, Grama Celia. They were the very definition of doting grandparents. Celia and Audree Wilson, the other Grama, became fast friends sharing the two young grandsons they adored. They went on driving excursions and thoroughly enjoyed each others company.

Celia was widowed at 51 and never married again. She survived breast cancer at 61. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Vista, Ca. where son Billy lived in nearby Oceanside. They lived close to each other for many years. She loved her condo, her neighbors, the beautiful weather, and her nearby relatives.

In 2003 Billy relocated to Henderson, Nevada.

In 2012, at age 86, she was diagnosed with Dementia. She spent the next seven years living with her caregiver Tinkerbell, at her condo while enjoying regular monthly visits from Billy…he stayed with her for two weeks of every month. The other two weekends they took the train to Los Angeles and Celia stayed with Annie and Terry. In 2019 Celia and Tinkerbell moved to Santa Monica to live with her daughter Annie. Her greatest joy was living in close proximity to her two grown grandsons again and now added to her life, were three great grandchildren whom she was able to see and enjoy often. Even into her 90s with the ever deepening dementia, she was a regular at Dean’s soccer games, Neva’s school plays and was simply ecstatic about whatever her youngest great grandson, Wade was up to.

But dementia was taking its toll… after all, she was 96…the last survivor of the original nine Bautista brothers and sisters.

The end came peacefully for her at 5:41 a.m. on November 20th, 2021. Ironically, some six hours later, lung cancer took her beloved son, Billy…. their lifelong connection was now complete.

During her nine decades she had acquired a multitude of affectionate and appropriate names~ Mom, Mummy, Mother, Auntie, Tita, Grama, Tita Cel, The Birdie, Great Grama GG, GG Coconut, just to name a few….

We will forever remember & miss her great spirit. A long full life well lived.