Lourdes Marcelino Mendez, 93, a devout Catholic of Chesapeake, Virginia, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2021. Lourdes (or Mamang "Dita" to her children) was born on January 23, 1928 in Binondo, Manila, Philippines to her loving parents, Ricardo "Andoy" Francisco Marcelino of Polo, Bulacan, Manila (a three-time FAMAS awardee for Best Cinematography in Filipino movies in the 50’s and 60’s) and Elvira "Evi" Yangco Cabangis Marcelino of Tondo, Manila.
She now joins in heaven her brothers Lucio "Lucing" Cabangis Marcelino , Tomas "Tomasing" Cabangis Marcelino, Francisco "Paquito" Cabangis Marcelino, Ricardo "Carding" Cabangis Marcelino, Jr., Mario Cabangis Marcelino; sisters Consuelo "Choling" Marcelino Balboa, Elvira "Viring" Marcelino Manuel, Victoria "Tori" Marcelino Lucena and Aurora Marcelino Gatchalian; daughter Juliana "Julie" Marcelino Mendez-Herlihy; father-in-law Jose Doria Mendez, Sr.; mother-in-law Catalina Benitez Mendez;brother-in-law Rodolfo "Rody" Benitez Mendez, Sr.; sister-in-law Erlinda "Linda" Mendez and daughters-in-law Pilar Nina Ramirez Mendez and Milagros "Mila" Beltran Mendez. She was also predeceased by her husband Jose Benitez Mendez, Jr. (Papang "Junior" to her children) whom she married on May 14th, 1949 at St Joseph Parish, Canlubang, Laguna, Philippines. She is survived by children Manuel “Manny” Marcelino Mendez, Remedios “Medy” Marcelino Mendez, Fernando “Nanding” Marcelino Mendez (Laura Domingo-Garcia), Maria Teresita “Tessie” Marcelino Mendez-Ozabal (Robert "Bob" Steven Ozabal), and son-in-law Dennis Joseph Herlihy; grandchildren Alexander Mikhail Ramirez Mendez (Yvette Hu), Maria Konica Ramirez Mendez, Mary Minolta Ramirez Mendez, Marie Leica Ramirez Mendez, Nathaniel Marcelino Beltran Mendez (Lea Ventura), Mervin Paolo Beltran Mendez (Edmye Hernandez), and Brian Robert Ozabal ; and great grandchildren Daniel Alexander Mendez and Isaiah Edward Mendez who are very dear to her.
She loved to sing and in December 29 of last year 2020, she was able to part with us on her iPad her last rendition of one of her favorite songs “Saan Ka Man Naroroon.” Mamang Dita loved to pray the Holy Mass, the Holy Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet and many novenas everyday. One of her favorite novenas was the Novena of Jesus of Nazarene of Quiapo, Manila. She will forever be remembered, loved and missed because of her love for the Holy Eucharist and adoration of the Most Holy and Blessed Sacrament. The life of Mamang Dita had not ended but continues to live with our God the Father, God the Son our Lord, Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ , God the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Virgin Mary Holy Mother of God and all the holy angels and saints.
The family will receive relatives and friends at the Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home, 601 N. Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 on February 26, 2021 from 4 pm to 7 pm. The Holy Mass of the Resurrection will be held on February 27, 2021 at 11 am at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 3314 Sandra Lane, Virginia Beach, VA 23464. Interment will follow immediately at Rosewood Memorial Park at 631 N. Witchduck Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23462.
