Lilia Asuar Abril

God has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Lilia Asuar Abril, 71, passed away on October 16, 2014 surrounded by dear family and friends at her home in Sylmar, California.

Born in Tacloban City, Philippines to Crestito Asuar and Segunda Renomeron, Lilia is the eldest of seven children. From her first breath on January 14, 1943 until her last days, she nourished people with her love, faith, and great cooking. After graduating from high school, she attended Leyte Normal University and earned a degree in Bachelor of Science in Education. Following her training, she began her career in elementary education teaching in her mother's hometown of Burauen, Leyte and later in Tacloban City.

Lilia pursued a career in research which led her to stay in Manila for a few years and gave her the chance to travel. Known for her devotion to family, she left a promising stint in Singapore to take care of her mother shortly after her father passed away in 1986. Two years later, she got married and immigrated to the United States. She loved teaching and interacting with kids so much that she pursued further education in Child Development, and continued her lifelong-teaching
career working initially as an Assistant Teacher in Kedren Burbank. Later she advanced to the position of Head Teacher, and finally earned the position of Supervisor of Cypress III Kedren Community Health Center in Los Angeles before retiring in September of 2013.

Lilia truly lived life to the fullest. She was a member of the YMCA and loved Zumba, swimming, and yoga. She was known for her sense of style, having an impeccable taste when it comes to fashion, was always put together and refuses to leave the house without lipstick. She loved the simple pleasures of cooking her favorite dishes as much as her glass of wine. Friends and family would rave over her pancit, banana and carrot cakes, baked salmon and chicken macaroni salad which she would prepare for family gatherings and holidays. She loved watching movies, plays, listening to music of artists such as ABBA, The Carpenters, John Denver, Sarah Brightman, Celine Dion, and attending concerts of Barbara Streisand and Andrea Bocelli. Her love for travel brought her to countless US National Parks and Monuments, the Carribean, Mexico, and Spain. To celebrate her 70th birthday last year, she bravely tried the zipline.

Active in her church community and beloved by all who met her, Lilia had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way.

She is survived by her sisters Lucy, Fely and Josie, and brothers Nanding and Renato, numerous nephews and nieces, stepchildren and grandchildren. Lilia leaves behind a legacy of courage and adventure, gratitude for life, love and faith.

Visitation will be held between 10:00AM - 9:00PM on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, CA. Funeral services will be held at the Church of the Hills on Sunday, October 25, 2014 at 3:00PM

The Asuar family would like to extend our gratitude to all staff at Mission Hospice for their attentiveness and loving care.