The Big Filipino Party in the Sky

I pulled off an obituary with thanks, massive giant hugs of thanks, to you, my good dollins.

I'll be getting back to you sweeties individually.  I have a favor to ask if you so generously supplied me with specific obituary and eulogy writings.  But, first, let me show you what I did.

I told my cousins and siblings that the following is the Long Ass Version.  Here we go:

World traveler, accomplished civil servant, devout Catholic, and doting daughter, sister, aunt and friend, Lilia A. Acebo, left this life on December 27, 2006 to join her Lord, beloved parents and sister-in-law Anita for Heaven and the big Filipino party in the sky.

Born March 28, 1926 in the Philippines, "Auntie Lily" was the first child of Celestino and Mary Acebo's family and the devoted older sister to siblings Sister Maria de la Immaculada (Gloria), Ray, Maggie and Ted.  The family survived the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II, then emigrated to a new life in America. 

Auntie Lily attended the College of Holy Names, but left her studies for the more interesting realm of overseas work for the US government.  Her first international assignment was in Japan, followed by posts in the war zones of the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War.  Auntie Lily returned to the US for a position at the Department of Labor in Washington D.C. where she provided exemplary service to the administrations of Presidents Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Reagan.

Auntie Lily was the first frequent flier of the family, and was well acquainted with the great cities of the world.  She was especially fond of Rome where she was a keen observer of Vatican politics and an admirer of Italian art, cuisine, wine and, from afar, Italian gentlemen.

Myriad interests of this worldly woman included books, cinema, Broadway musicals and championship shopping.  Auntie Lily was known to carry at least two large handled shopping bags at all times, filled with gifts of useful gadgets for her loved ones.

Auntie Lily's heart was full of love for all people.  She saw God in everyone, from wealthy Republicans to the destitute homeless, and exemplified true Christianity with her utter kindness, extended to all without question or judgment.

Auntie Lily's most important legacy is in two generations of "her children", a pack of adoring nieces and nephews - Terry, Jeff, Grace, Kevin, Gary, Jim, Patrick, Wendy, Dennis, Gina, Frank and Alison; and their children, Ben, Natalie, Melanie, Nathan, Molly, Trevor, Chloe, Nina, Hunter, Marna, Aiden and Calder.  They are the fortunate heirs to Auntie Lily's living example of character, courage diligence, generosity and the ability to have fun.

Longtime blogging buddy Tonya is probably hollering at her monitor - My God!  That must have cost a mint!

Well, I have no idea because I was too afraid to cost it out with one of the San Francisco Bay Area papers.  I'm going to use the above novella in a one page addendum to the program for the services.

The following was submitted to the San Francisco Chronicle to be published tomorrow:

World traveler, accomplished civil servant, devout Catholic, and doting daughter, sister, aunt and friend, Lilia A. Acebo, left this life on December 27, 2006 to join her Lord and beloved parents in Heaven and the big Filipino party in the sky.  Born March 28, 1926, "Auntie Lily" was the first of Celestino and Mary Acebo's five children.  Survived by her siblings Sister de la Immaculada (Gloria), Ray, Maggie and Ted, her adoring nieces and nephews and their children.  Services at the Carmelite Monastery of Cristo Rey, 721 Parker Ave., San Francisco...

That cost $308.00 for one day for this one publication.  This would definitely piss off Nate Fisher, don't you think?

I was able to leave in the bit about our legendary Filipino parties, but had to take out the part about "wealthy Republicans".  Proof that I can take the high road now and again.

Again, thank you for your help.   You are all wonderful sweeties, and extremely attractive, as well.

Comments

[margalit]

What a wonderful and LOVING tribute to Aunty Lily. I wish you could put the entire thing into the paper. But even the abbreviated version is great, and filled with love and admiration for your Aunt Lily.

Great job, saysee!

[Roxanne]

That's the best written "civilian" obit I've ever read.

[Tricia]

It has your flavor. And that's good. No?

[kkonmymind]

You did a great job with that. Your love for her comes through beautifully.

(She will take good care of your dog, too.)

[Kris]

EXCELLENT! We knew you could do it. I hope there is someone like you around to write mine.

[wordgirl]

I've written obituaries and I know how hard it is...plus how expensive! The local paper in our town charged several hundred dollars for a decent obit and they tack on $150 more if you want a picture. What a racket!

[Dori]

I'm so sorry about your aunt, and your dog. That was a beautiful tribute you wrote for her. I hope you don't have too many FOGs in 2007.

[Kirsten]

Grace, I am so sorry to read about your losses. I sure hope 2007 will be kinder to your family. Your tribute to your Aunt was beautiful. She sounds like a really special person. I hope you find some peace.

[Athena (nom de plume)]

Hi, Grace:

I, too, am Filipino.

We're a tight bunch, aren't we? Whether or not we drive each other mad, no matter how co-dependent we might be, or how dysfunctional (but really, who isn't dysfunctional? stand up and let me slap you!), no matter the distance or amount of time -- always tight. Blood is truly thicker than water, what with all the adobo and rice.

It's hard to let go of our loved ones. My favorite aunt, Auntie P, has been struck down again with another bout of colon cancer and I don't think she'll make it out of it this time. It's hard to be so far away.

It's good to remember that in the universe our lives are over in only the blink of a god's eye. Death on earth is only the end of life in THIS body -- there's a whole lot of life -- another kind of life -- out there.

That's where your Auntie Lilly is, and where we'll all be someday, unrestrained by the fetters of society and the constraints of the human condition. Able to rise and fly and expand and laugh and live endlessly.

Peace be with you and your family.

[scout]

I LOVE it. And she was good peeps being an Aries girl. I'm March 29th. :)

Hang in there mama.
xo

[Roxanne]

Hey. Do me a favor ... please send your full obit to the editorial staff at the Chron and see if you can get it published. You never know when they'll have column inches to fill and it'd be easier for them to run your well-written piece than to write an additional obit at the last minute.

[Chris Ryland]

I'll keep her in my prayers. I know the Cristo Rey monastery well--often get to Mass when in the city staying with friends nearby. Oremus!

[erthsister]

Beautifully done! I loved hearing her story and all the interesting sampling of details. And a nice edit for the paper; you kept enough to keep the original flavor. Your aunt was clearly a special, lovely person! What a tribute.

BTW We did the same thing with the long version--put it in the order of service as a momento--and people really appreciated it.

[Birchsprite]

Peace to you Grace and a big warm internet hug. I'm just catching up with the bloggy happenings and am so sorry to hear of your sad losses this christmas.

What a beautiful tribute to such a lovely woman.

Peace and best wishes to you and yours.

[chantel]

Good work, only a bad ass could have done it.

[Leslie]

I'm sorry to hear about your Auntie, Grace. I don't think anyone else could have written a better obit, you did her proud. God bless.

[samirah]

oh grace, i'm sorry. i wish i could have been of some help to you. but that was lovely. your auntie sounded wonderful.

[Crystal Clear]

Ohhh Grace, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. What a gift she really was to you, your family, and the world. I'm betting she is smiling right now knowing you have shared this longass genuine version with the world...

[Crystal]

Happy New Year to you and yours!! I miss ya, how far are you from LA?? I'm going to be there in 10 days... hope you are nearby and we can grab some margaritas!!

[Jenny]

Beautiful, Grace. I read with a giant smile on my face.

[Janet]

Grace, that was absolutely beautiful! I had to write my Mom's in 2005, and it wasn't nearly as good!

[Sarah Bergman]

I love this! I love your writing!

[Marilyn]

I think you wrote a great obit!

[JenniferB]

That was a really beautiful, loving testament to a life well lived. And see how her example has touched you and brought you to this point of light -- you are strong and kind as she was. Peace to you and yours, Saysee.

[CityMama]

Faboo. She sounds like quite a spicy character. How lucky you were to have her in your life. I hope she can stop in on the big Korean party in the sky (where my relatives are). The Chivas and waters are surely free-flowing...