Adina Maghirang Cadaing

Adina Maghirang Cadaing made the beautiful transition from her earthly body to her glorified body on June 08, 2017. She passed away peacefully just following her daily morning prayer time with Zach, her loving husband of 59 years. The last words she heard were those of him reaffirming his love for her.

She was born in San Pablo, Laguna, Philippines on April 17, 1931, and was the fourth of nine children; two sisters and seven brothers. Shortly after WWII began in the pacific theater, she and her family fled their home to seek safety from incoming Japanese forces. As she left her home for the last time, she wore as much clothing as she could put on and carried whatever belongings she could manage. It would be several weeks and endless miles of walking before she was able to find safe harbor in the city of Manila. She witnessed the horrors of war in her country but survived with her family and was able to start over and rebuild after liberation by US Forces.

Her mother faced an untimely death so as the eldest sister, she assumed the role and responsibility of mother to her younger siblings. During this season, she cooked meals and lovingly attended to the daily needs of her family. Her selflessness earned her great respect and the endearment of many.

Following the war, her family was embraced by several missionary families from the US. The Dennisons, McGregors, Hamiltons, and other dear missionary families played a major role in the Christian heritage of our family. We are eternally grateful to them for traveling to the Philippines to share the love of Jesus.

After completing her formal education, Adina taught at Manila Christian Day School for several years. During this time she became engaged and married soon after on January 26, 1958. Since Zach was a career Navy Chief Petty Officer she single-handedly raised her children while he was away on lengthy deployments.

She took her first trip to the US to join Zach at his duty station while she was 7 months pregnant with her first child. She traveled from Manila to Kodiak, Alaska in the middle of winter. This was the beginning of a new life in the US that crossed the country during a period when there were very few Filipinos here. With every new duty station, they would find a church home that would become their foundation.

Adina was a gifted cook and could always prepare a last minute gourmet meal for unexpected guests. There was always room for one more at the family dining table and her first question was typically, “Have you eaten yet?” She was also a pianist with a lovely voice so there was always beautiful praise and worship resounding around her Wurlitzer piano. Zach could fix anything that broke, so between mom’s cooking and dad’s repair skills the home had a constant revolving door of friends and visitors.

Most importantly, Adina had a heart for others. If you were speaking with her, you were the most important person in the room. No one else mattered, you were special and loved for those precious moments. Her beautiful smile was from her heart. If there was a need or concern she could often discern it and would always be there to listen and pray. She was a peacemaker and in her counsel there was never condemnation. There was only the simplicity of the unconditional love and forgiveness of Jesus that brought you back into the family.

We are who we are largely because of what we observed in our mother. She was a prayer warrior who prayed us through crisis. We took great comfort knowing that she was praying for us. In the morning she never left her bedroom without having had her quiet time reading scripture and praying. Memories of her sitting up in bed, still in her green robe, praying are etched in our minds. When she prayed you always felt as if you were brought face to face with Jesus.

Adina is survived by husband Zach, son Gaius (June), daughter Phebe (George), son David (Nilda), daughter Rhoda (Bradley), grandchildren Dina Marie (Nathan), Matthew (Amanda), Jonathan, Lauren, Kylee, Noah, Alana, Chloe, Keila, and great grandchildren, Grace, Zachary, Levi, and Caleb.

A viewing will be held at Maranatha Chapel in Rancho Bernardo on Monday June 26th from 3-5 PM. A celebration of life will follow beginning at 5 PM and afterwards a reception.

Burial will be Tuesday June 27th, 1:15-2:00pm at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego.