At our 50th Wedding Anniversary, CDM, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines, 2007
On
August 10, 2020, my wife and partner for over 63 years passed
peacefully in her sleep after several years of illness. She was a
devoted spouse, loving mother and adoring grand mother, accomplished
visiting trilengual nurse as well as a community leader. She had a
passion for home health and public health nursing during her younger
years in California and Maryland. Macrine had a Bachelors Degree in
Commerce (UST), AA in Nursing, Contra Costa College, Richmond,
California, a Bachelors Degree in Nursing and a Certificate in Public
Health, Holy Name College, Oakland, California. She was involved in
Home Health as a Visiting Nurse and later as Quality Assurance Manager.
She retired early to enjoy our life as Snow Birds-spending half of the
year in our retirement home at Chateau Du Mer, Boac(CDM), Marinduque,
Philippines. For our Love Story read:
https://letterpile.com/memoirs/our-love-story-our-coming-55th-wedding-anniversary
She
has touched numerous lives with her involvement and leadership in
several medical and dental missions to the province of her birth(
Marinduque) in the Philippines as well as her active participation and
leadership with the Filipino-American Associations in Stanislaus County(
Modesto. CA), in Contra Costa County ( Pinole, Ca) and most of all with
the Filipino-American Association of the Washington DC and Tri-State
Area (Virginia and Maryland). For our medical mission activities read:
https://hubpages.com/politics/medical-mission-of-love-to-marinduque
It is customary in the Catholic Philippines to celebrate the 9th Day and 40th Day anniversaries after Death. This custom is based on the pre-colonial folk belief that the soul of the
departed enters the spirit world on the ninth day following death. This
is followed by another celebration ( Masses and Rosaries) on the fortieth day after death to
acknowledge the waksi, or death anniversary, when the soul is believed to end its earthly wandering and ascend to the afterlife.
So
today on the 9th day after my wife's death ( Macrine Nieva Jambalos
Katague), I am posting a few condolences ( 18 out of more than 700
messages) both from Ditas, Dinah and my FB pages. I have omitted the
names for privacy reasons.
Again
I am thanking ALL of you for your cards, e-mails, telephone and FB
messages of sympathy and condolences. Special thanks and lasting
gratitude to those who donated to MI, Inc in honor of Macrine's memory.
Macrine busy in the Pharmacy Section during one of MI, Inc Medical Mission to Marinduque, Philippines
1. We regret to announce the passing today(8/10/20) of a very dear past president of
Marinduque International Inc., Macrine Jambalos Katague, beloved wife
of David B Katague,
mother of four (4) children, Dodie, Dinah, David III and Ditas and
grandma of 6 grandchildren. Our deepest sympathy and prayers to the
Jambalos and Katague families.🙏🙏🙏.
Macrine was past president of Marinduque International Inc. (MII) and
spearheaded the first Mission of Love in Marinduque under the
sponsorship of MII. She and David were
staunch supporters of Marinduque International, Inc. Their beach resort
, Chateau de Mer, in Amoingon, was venue for many events during the
past medical missions when they retired there. However, due to
Macrine’s illness, they returned to Fair Oaks, California, where they
have remained . Macrine will be remembered for her leadership, her
compassion and generosity of her time to help - her kababayans,
friends, extended families, etc. She’ll be missed.
2. Dear David, I am so sorry to
hear that Macrine has passed. May she rest in peace. I know it has not
been an easy time in the last few years. I am glad that we met before
she got ill, and really appreciated the connection that she
established. It was wonderful to visit your place in Marinduque with my
family and Mother. Sending you love and prayers.
Macrine and I enjoying the visits of Macrine's Relatives at Chateau Du Mer
3. My condolences to you Tito
Dave and the rest of the family. Manang Macrine is a beautiful person
inside and outside. I will always remember her for her endearing
personality, her readiness to help others in need and devotion to the
MI Inc projects. Rest in peace with the Lord Manang Macrine!
4. David, so sorry to hear the sad news. We were neighbors for a while in Silver Spring. Macrine has been active as a community leader. She made a difference. Eternal rest grant to a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, O' Lord.
5. Our deepest
condolences and prayers, Dave, and family on the passing of dearest
Macrine. She is now in peace with the Lord with no more pain and
suffering and enjoying paradise . She is now reunited with her sister,
Sister Guia and other siblings who
preceded her. She’ll be welcomed by our past MII co-founders and past
presidents, Doctors Rodolfo L Jao and Hector Sulit , who she worked with
during the first Mission of Love in Marinduque which Macrine
spearheaded as President of Marinduque International, Inc. Thank you
for choosing Marinduque International Inc. (MII) as recipient of
donations in her memory. Our deepest sympathy to Jambalos and Katague
families
6. My heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your life partner and friend, Primo David B Katague. You are my senior primo, but my two older sisters are your contemporaries, I believe. I was in high school I think when I heard
your name mentioned over the dining table. It was about your doctoral
thesis at a US university. First time I heard the word chromatography.
Later I married a chemist and it became a household word as I did
research using that tool too. I praise God for the full life He has
given you, primo David. Macrine
and I with Olga Quiazon ( RIP) her First Cousin During an MI, Inc
Meeting in Marinduque discussing medical mission activities
7. Our sincerest
SYMPATHIES & deepest CONDOLENCES to all her loved ones left behind
in extreme sadness, most particularly to brod., David. R.I.P., Lady
Macrine, who bought for me 6 bottles of San Miguel beer, together with
Ogie de la Santa, during the reunion of
the Marinduque International, Inc. in San Francisco, California, U.S.A.,
on August 11, 1999, upon knowing that I do not drink any kind of hard
liquor. That incident prompted Dr. Rudy Labay JAO to crack a joke, by
saying that there was some kind of favoritism in said gathering. When
U.P. Professor David Barredo KATAGUE and Macrine tied their knot of
matrimony on May 8 ,1957, Rudy JAO and I were there in attendance,
together with Zeny (Baby) Marquez (now Jamilla) & Lulu SARMIENTO
(now RODRIGUEZ). GOD bless, everyone.
Private Tour of the Bellarocca Resort and Spa ( Buenavista, Marinduque) with Anne Miles Jalac and Aquilina Rivas, 2011
8. Good bye Tita
Macrine. You will always be remembered with fondness. I won't hear your
hearty laugh anymore but the memory of your tasty brewed coffee
whenever we visited you will still be there when Tito Dave comes for a
visit in Cawit. Fly high my friend coz
you had a very fulfilled life, and when you come back for another cycle,
I am sure it will be a another good life coz you sowed good seeds and
you shall reap the rewards in another life. Tito Dave, grieve not for
her death coz she is in God:s loving hands. Rather, thank God for 63
years of togetherness. Move on and in God's grace everything will be ok.
Take care and stay safe.
9. I am so sorry for your loss.
Your wife has the face of an angel May God lay his loving hands on you
and your family during this most difficult time. Please know we are
praying for a healing heart.
10. Our heartfelt condolences,Tito
Dave. She will be remembered with fondest and most loving memories for
Christmases, family bondings, and laughter during Marinduque medical
missions and more. Hugs to everyone there. May Tita Macrine's soul rest in peace.
Our Wedding Day-May 8, 1957, Boac Marinduque, Philippines
From Ditas FB Page: (Five messages out of 200)
Today is a sad day. My mom passed away peacefully at home. As many of
you know she fought the brave fight with Parkinson’s. My Dad and brother
David III have been caring for her in Fair Oaks. She taught me (as many
Filipino moms and Titas do) how to be tough and to rise against
adversity. She introduced me to Corazon Aquino- the powerful strong
widow of Benigno Aquino who was assasinated by Marcos - who went on to
become the first female President of the Philippines. She pushed me to
be so much more than I ever thought I could be and to overcome many
challenges. Carenna said goodbye yesterday- and we both asked her to
look for Nick up in heaven.
11. Ditas,
you were blessed with a beautiful and wise mother for the greater part
of your adult life. She planted seeds not only in her children but in
her grandchildren. I will hold you and your father up in prayer during
this time of sorrow. I can’t help but smile to know that she was
married for 63 years, and to see your reflection in this beautiful
picture of her. God is good.
12. Oh
honey, I'm so very sorry for your loss. I can still picture her in the
kitchen making lumpia for us that winter break when you took us home and
she welcomed and fed us. And I'm forever grateful she and your dad gave
me a place to stay while I searched for
a job and apartment in DC, though I still cringe to think how she must
have shrieked to you on the phone when she came home to a hundred
dollar-plus dial-up bill because this dumb girl didn't know the nearest
city. She was powerful, full of grace, created an amazing family and
leaves a living legacy in you, Carenna, and your family. My deepest
condolences to you all.
13. Ditas- I’m so sorry to hear
this. I remember meeting your mom - she had a wonderful spirit and
clearly was a supportive and empowering mother to you. Nothing can ever
replace our moms. Sending hugs and deepest condolences as you navigate
this loss❤️
14. So
sorry to hear, Ditas. Your family is in my thoughts - I know how often
you spoke of her and her relationship with Carenna. She is now at peace.
Let us know if you need anything.
15. I’m so sorry Ditas. She raised an amazing daughter. She must have been a force.
Some of the Jambalos and Katague Clan Members-Celebrating Macrine's 80th Birthday, Fair Oaks, California, 2016
From Dinah's Face Book Page ( Three Messages out of 90)
Today
my mom passed and joined the league of my personal angels. Thank you
mom for all the love and lesson. You taught me to be the badass woman
that l am today. I love you and miss you always!
16. Dinah, I'm sorry for your loss and I remember your mom fondly. I wish heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
17. Dinah, So sorry. So many great childhood and beyond memories of you and your family in Modesto.
18. I’m so sorry, Dinah. Your mother is so beautiful, just like you! Sending prayers for peace and comfort for you and your family.
Above video of the slide show with Carenna singing Halleluia live in memory of her Lola
Meanwhile enjoy these two pieces- Macrine's Favorites: Romance by Rubenstein and Spanish Romance (Guitar)
