Celestina A. Bendicho

Known as Celestina, Celest, Cehl, Cehly, Baby, Be.

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Celestina, our loving and devoted mother and friend, on March 22, 2021.

She left us peacefully at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, CA due to stage IV lung cancer. She was 63.

Born in Manila, Philippines to Ceferino & Felicisima Azarcon.

She was a devoted and loving daughter and a generous and thoughtful sister to her Kuya Art.

She graduated Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1979 at Arellano University in the Philippines.

Served as an ER nurse at the Ministry of Defense in 1982 at United Arab Emirates Zayed Military Hospital.

Survived by her children Maria Chelo & Luis Arturo.

She then continued her passion for nursing, working in the USA in various hospitals as an ER, ICU & NICU nurse.

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile". Somehow this sums up how she lived and how she loved. She was compassionate, she listened without judgment and gave without expectations. She helped out because it was the right thing to do.

Her family, friends, and colleagues were the most important to Celest. This is where she drew her strength and left her legacy. The caring person who puts the people around her first because "Dapat may pakikisama at magtulungan tayong lahat" (in translation: "We should all look out for each other").

She loves to cook Filipino food and always carries a cup of tea. "Do you want first dip or second dip?", she'd teasingly ask.

While with words she is humble and caring, in her action she was bold and powerful. Her tenacity and perseverance in the face of adversity is admirable. She always rejoices in God with a grateful heart and a joyful spirit.

Her love, patience, understanding, wit, compassion and charm will live on inside us forever.

She was a loving MAMA to all.