Maria Ligaya Abella

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Maria Ligaya Abella, age 71, on February 12, 2022, in Long Beach, CA. She was born on November 23, 1950 in Manila, Philippines, and is the daughter of Carmen Corrales and Toribio Abella. She is the 2nd oldest of 5 children. Her siblings are Amelia, Editha, Toribio Jr., and Arthur.

Once an academically outstanding student, Maria graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics from the Mindanao Institute of Technology in the Philippines at the age of 19. She then completed her Master's degree in Home Economics Education at the University of the Philippines Diliman. At the age of 22, Maria arrived to the United States, where she held a successful career as an Account Manager in the insurance industry for 21 years. Maria's hobbies included cooking for her grandchildren, going to church every day, spending time with her family and friends, listening to Christmas music, and taking trips to Las Vegas for fun.

Maria is preceded in death by her parents, Carmen and Toribio, as well as her youngest brother, Arthur. She is survived by her 2 children, Jennifer Abella (Jason) Rodriguez and Bernard Matthew Abella (Gemma) Pangan, 2 grandchildren, Carmen Alyssa Rodriguez and Ian Jay Rodriguez, and 1 grandchild on the way. She is also survived by her 3 siblings, Amelia (Joel) Gegato, Editha (Edgar) Saylon, and Toribio (Esperanza) Abella Jr., and many nephews and nieces.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cypress, California, as follows:

Visitation: Sunday, March 20, 2022 at Hope Chapel, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Ceremony and Burial: Monday, March 21, 2022 at Patriots Chapel, 9:30 AM. Doors open at 9:00 AM.