Carolina Cavada Sevilla

Carolina Cavada Sevilla was born on December 2, 1928, in Toledo City, Cebu, Philippines, to Blas Paras Cavada and Natividad Noel Cavada. The eldest child, she was the beloved "Manang Ina" to her four brothers: Patricio (Paz Bollozos+), Blas Jr. (Eleanor Morgan+), Dario (Virginia Pono), and Jose (Teresita San Juan). She completed high school with top honors at St. Theresa's College in Cebu. At the University of San Carlos, she studied English and Mathematics, graduating magna cum laude, and also studied for her graduate degree in education. In college, she was editor of the school paper, was active in the drama club and served as ROTC Corps Sponsor.

Teaching at the University of the Visayas (UV) in Toledo right after graduation, she caught the eye of Benjamin Yap Sevilla, a dashing young man who had just graduated from the University of Santo Tomas law school who was working then in Toledo. They married on June 30, 1951, in Toledo and then settled in Cebu City. She taught English Literature and Math for more than 20 years at the University of San Carlos, Abellana High School, and UV-Toledo. She opted for early retirement to go into the jewelry business, in which she proved particularly successful. After the family immigrated to the US on a special visa, she worked for the Auditor-Controller's Office of the County of Orange until her retirement in 1995.

Lina is survived by her husband, Ben, of more than 64 years. She was a most loving Mommy to seven children: Ramon Antonio (Kanchana Yingpaiboon), Judy Carol (Mario Marzona), Josephine, Jane Milagros, Mae Corazon (Tillmann Fuchs), Randolph (Veronica Chan), and Benjamin Gerard, Jr. (Jeannie de la Cruz). She was immensely proud of her ten beloved grandchildren, who all gathered from California, Thailand and Germany to join their Grandpa and Grandma's 50th and 60th wedding anniversary celebrations in Cebu: Pimmannee (Jirateep Rathasettasiri) and Chaleena Yingpaiboon, Mark and Alex Marzona, Martin and Erik Fuchs, and Naithan, Trevor, Isabelle and Ruben Sevilla. She was looking forward to meeting her first great-grandchild, "Baby Inday" Maria Pimmarin in Bangkok.

Everyone who met Lina felt special in her presence for she embraced them with her warmth and love. She was an adored aunt and sister-in-law, a steadfast friend, and second mother to countless relatives, friends, and her children's friends. Every place she lived in became a beautiful home, a haven where joyful family reunions and parties were held. Remembered for her kindness, generosity and radiant smile, she indeed exemplified gentleness, elegance, beauty and faith in God. As a devout Catholic, she not only lived her faith but also instilled it in her children and family.

Lina passed away peacefully on August 29, 2015, at the Kaiser hospital in Anaheim surrounded by family. She has left a hole in our lives and hearts even as we trust that she now rests safely in God's embrace.

SERVICES
Visitation: Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Forest Lawn Covina Hills Memory Chapel
5:00-9:00 pm -- Rosary at 7:00 pm
Visitation: Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Forest Lawn Covina Hills Church of Our Heritage
5:00-9:00 pm – Rosary at 7:00 pm
Funeral Mass: Thursday, Sept. 10, at St. Paul the Apostle, Chino Hills
11:00 am
Interment follows the funeral Mass:
Funeral cortege will start from the front gates of Forest Lawn Covina Hills at 12:30pm