Obituary of Erlinda Ibanez Tuazon

On September 9, 2023, Erlinda I. Tuazon passed away in her home in Marina, California, at the age of 90. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Those who knew her will fondly remember her kindness, compassion, delicious food, and hospitality.

 

Erlinda was born in Iloilo City, Philippines, on April 21, 1933.  Her family hid in the mountains during the Japanese Invasion of the Philippines during WWII. She grew up in the same neighborhood as Simeon Andrade Tuazon, Jr., who corresponded with her while he worked at the naval shipyards in Guam.  He joined the U.S. Army, and in 1957, they were married.  During his years in the

military, he served in Korea, and was based with his family in Ft. Ord (Seaside, CA), Ft. Lewis (Tacoma, WA), Germany (Bamburg, Frankfurt, Schweinfurt), and Ft. Ord (Marina, CA). Along the way, they met other Filipinos in the U.S. Army who became lifelong friends, with many retiring in Marina.  In mid-1967, the family left Schweinfurt, Germany, to move to Ft. Ord (lived in Marina, CA), and in October, Simeon was deployed to Vietnam. Twenty days later, he was killed in action in South Vietnam.  Suddenly, at 34-years old, Erlinda was a widow with three young children, and lived in a new place with no relatives.  She decided to move back to Iloilo to bury her husband, and to be close to her relatives. A few months later, she changed her mind and decided

to return to the States, because she saw that life in the Philippines was a difficult adjustment for her children who were raised with an American lifestyle. Once she arrived in Marina, she already had a network of close friends, many of whom she met during their military life, and who were also stationed at Ft. Ord.  With their support, she was able to thrive in Marina for over 50 years.  She learned to drive, and started out working the swing shift packing produce at a farm in Salinas. She was a housekeeper and cook at St. Jude Catholic Church. She was a prep cook at bakeries, the DoubleTree Hotel, and JC Crumpton Elementary School.  She worked at a childcare center, and worked as a hair stylist after receiving her cosmetology license.

 

Erlinda was warm and generous. She loved children, and often stopped to say hello to them.  She was an excellent cook and hostess. Her white cake with strawberries and whipped cream, and her German fruit torte, were favorites among family and friends. We will fondly remember the parties with family friends sharing delicious Filipino food. She enjoyed taking trips to casinos with her friends.  In high school, she was a princess in a beauty pageant and was driven in a red convertible that paraded down the streets of Iloilo.

 

Erlinda was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Simeon A. Tuazon, Jr.; her mother, Maria Tomolto

Ibañez; her sister, Anita Ibañez Tombocon.

 

She is survived by her siblings: Fernando Ibañez and Dorotea Gabales Sambas.  Her children:  Helen (Miles), Stephen (Angel), and Susan. Grandchildren: Shelley (Jerry), Marissa, Rob, and Nikki.

 

Her funeral will take place in Marina, California, on Friday, January 19, 2024, at St. Jude Catholic Parish with a memorial at 10 a.m.; a private Celebration of Life immediately following; and inurnment at 2 p.m. at the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery in Seaside, California.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to organizations that support women, such as Gathering for Women in Monterey, or that support widows, children, families, hunger, cooking, or dementia research. Comments can be posted on her Tribute Wall at Healey Mortuary & Crematory’s website: healeymortuary.com/obituaries.

 

In life, Erlinda was truly an angel. Look to the sky, and see her smiling that sweet smile from heaven.

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