Feliza Lopez Barrios

Feliza Lopez Barrios went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at age 95 on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at Kingsley Manor Retirement Community in Los Angeles, CA. She passed from complications due to pneumonia. Her room was filled with her family.

Feliza was born on January 14, 1917 in Manila, Philippines to Felicisimo and Maria (née Picar) Lopez. At age ten, her father bought her a piano. With this instrument, her musical talent flourished, and she became an exceptional pianist.

She graduated from University of Santo Tomas High School in 1934. She continued her studies at the University of the Philippines as a piano major. There she practiced playing piano as long as nine hours a day and graduated in 1939, the same year as then-future president of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos.

Feliza married Jose M. Barrios in Manila, Philippines on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1944. After encouraging their sons to move to the United States one-by-one through the 1960s and 70s, mother and father were finally able to join them in Los Angeles in 1977. Feliza taught piano in their apartment to many children, as well as adults. She was a devoted caregiver to her husband as his health declined. When Jose was moved to a convalescent home, she would take a taxi to see him daily and stay at his bedside. They were married for 55 years before his passing on December 5, 1999, also due to complications from pneumonia.

Feliza's six sons, by her virtuous example, all grew up to be kind, compassionate and loving men. Each and every one adored her and cared for her until her last breath. All were at her bedside at the time of her passing. They were blessed to have her for their mother.

A highly devout Catholic, Feliza attended mass every morning for many years at St. Basil Catholic Church in Los Angeles. She was also able to make pilgrimages to many religious sites throughout Europe, including Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal and Our Lady of Lourdes in France. She was well versed in the Catholic Saints. Her entire family is grateful to her for her intercession to God on their behalf. She seemed to always know who needed it, and it is believed that many personal trials and tribulations were resolved because of her commitment to prayer for her loved ones.

The matriarch of a large family, Feliza is survived by her six sons and their wives: Jose & Corazon Barrios of Los Angeles, CA; Angelo and Emma Barrios of Studio City, CA; Siervo and Evelyn Barrios of West Covina, CA; Pidias and Susan Barrios of Phoenix, AZ; Guido and Lydia Barrios of Los Angeles, CA; Ramon and Zenaida Barrios of Northridge, CA.

Thirteen grandchildren, their spouses, and fourteen great-grandchildren also survive her: Joseph Barrios of Los Angeles, CA; Cassandra Stephenson, her husband Dimitri and their daughters, Lilah and Corina, of Los Angeles, CA; Joanne Wildenhain, her husband Michael and their daughters, Mia and Sophie, of Redondo Beach, CA; Edward Barrios, his wife Trisha and their children, Scott, Shane and Jane, of Palos Verdes Estates, CA; Robert Barrios, his wife Annie and their children, Chloe, Sebastian and Owen, of Castro Valley, CA; Vincent Barrios, his wife Amelia and their sons, Max and Joaquin, of Altadena, CA; Jeanne Ramos and her daughter Ashley, of Miramar, FL; Phidias Barrios, his wife Arlene and their son, Nicholas, of Reseda, CA; Raphael Barrios of Los Angeles, CA; Danielle Barrios of Los Angeles, CA; Vanessa Barrios of Los Angeles, CA; Raymond Barrios of Woodland Hills, CA; Cheryl Barrios of Northridge, CA.

Feliza was the eldest of four siblings. Her brothers Edmundo and Romeo and her sister Rosario preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister Encarnacion Molina of Santa Clarita, CA, and many nieces and nephews.

The last thirteen years of her life were spent at Kingsley Manor. There, through all her stages of health, she was loved and appreciated by her fellow residents and staff. Before she became too ill to do so, she would play prayer hymns on the piano for residents before dinner, and she enjoyed that very much.

Mama Fely will be remembered for her undying devotion to God and her family, her display of patience and strength during hardship, her outstanding moral character, her smile and her sense of humor. Once a nurse asked her what her secret to long life was. Her response: "Do not exercise. Do not eat a lot of vegetables. Eat a lot of ice cream!" She is loved and will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be at Forest Lawn Glendale (800) 204-3131 in the main mortuary building on Thursday, January 10, 11am – 9pm and Friday, January 11, 10am – 5pm. There will be a prayer service on Friday at 7pm in the Church of the Recessional. The funeral service will be on Saturday, January 12 at 9am at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Los Angeles and will be officiated by Reverend Father James Cavanaugh. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn. Pallbearers are Joseph Barrios, Edward Barrios, Robert Barrios, Vincent Barrios, Raymond Barrios, Phidias Barrios, Raphael Barrios, Michael Wildenhain and Dimitri Stephenson.

A heartfelt thank you from the Barrios family to all of those who have been a part of Mama Fely's life and have helped our family in one way or another during her illness, especially the nurses and attendants at Kingsley Manor Care Center. We cherish all of you. Please keep her in your prayers. That is all she ever asked of us.