Nelita Banaag Bendijo

The woman who became known as Nelita Enot Banaag Bendijo ("Nelly" to friends), was born in the town of Catarman, on the Island of Camiguin, in the country of The Philippines, on December 3, 1936. Her father, Paulino Banaag was a police officer. Her mother, Agapita Enot, was a house wife. Both Nelita's parents and grand-parents trace their roots to the island of Camiguin, which is located off the coast of Cagayan de Oro.

Nelly was a "surprise" to her parents since her mother had an ovary removed, and thought she could no longer become pregnant. Nelly was the youngest of 4 children (Eldest Sister, Eufrasia "Penie," and Older Brothers Crisanto "Bever" and Olimpio "Liling"); there was a 14 year gap between Nelly and her brother. Originally, Nelly was named "Francisca," and carried the name Francisca until she was 3 years old. At the age of 3, "Francisca" became sickly, and in an attempt to cure her of the illness, her parents renamed her Nelita. Amongst family, Nelita had the nick name of "Indang."

Nelly attended nursing school at Southwestern University, located in Cebu City, Philippines. The highlight of her early nursing days was being part of the triage staff who assisted with the recovery of President Ramon Magsaysay's body, after he had died in a plane crash in Cebu City 1957. Nelly graduated from Southwestern in 1960. After becoming a Registered Nurse, Nelly spent the early days of her career working at local hospitals in Camiguin Island and Cagayan de Oro.

In 1965, Nelly became a traveling nurse, after being recruited by Catholic Missionaries, and moved to Stolberg, Germany, where she lived and worked for 3 years. During her life in Germany, Nelly travelled most of Western Europe, experienced snowy winters and European Culture, and even learned how to speak "Deutsch" (German). In 1968, Nelly moved from Germany to Simcoe, Ontario, Canada. She lived in Canada for 3 years, and in 1971, relocated to Los Angeles, California, due to being enticed by the temperate weather. In Los Angeles, Nelly worked as an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse, beginning in 1971, at Cedars of Lebanon, which later became Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Cedars Sinai, with its reputation of being the Hollywood "hospital for the rich and famous" brought Nelly many interesting experiences (e.g. the beginning of the AIDS epidemic; catching Andy Gibb doing cocaine in the ICU bathroom; meeting countless celebrities, during their treatment and last moments). Nelly retired from Cedars Sinai in 2002, but continued to work part-time as an ICU Nurse, until around 2004. Living and working in Los Angeles gave her an inside, intimate view of one of the world's most talked about cities. Nelly lived in the Los Angeles area for 44 years, up until her passing.

Nelita Banaag married Victorino Bendijo, Jr ("Junior"), of Dipolog City, Philippines, in 1975. The two were introduced as pen-pals, through friends who lived in LA, who were also relatives of Junior. After their marriage in the Philippines, Nelly brought Junior back to Los Angeles, where the two settled. In 1977, Nelly gave birth at the age of 41, to her only child, Victor-Paul. In 1986, Nelly and family moved to Chino Hills, California. Nelly became a widow after the passing of her husband Junior, in 2001.

From 2004, to the time of her passing, Nelly enjoyed the retired life, by taking almost yearly vacations, both domestically and abroad. As a retiree, she traveled the Middle East, returned to Europe and the Philippines on multiple occasions, and visited Alaska for her 75th Birthday. She kept her social calendar quite active – Sunday Mass weekly, with Family and Friends, followed by breakfast; daily visits to the gym, for pool exercises; parties and social events with Family and Friends; trips to San Francisco.

Nelly was diagnosed with Gastric Cancer in 2013, at the age of 76. After much consideration, she decided to forego treatment for cancer, and continued living life as she had. She still drove herself where ever she wanted to go, and lived a very independent life up until 2 weeks prior to her passing. On Tuesday, October 6, 2015, at 6:24 PM, Nelita Enot Banaag Bendijo took her last breath, and departed this world, surrounded by her Son, Family, and Friends at the comfort of her home in Chino Hills, California. She was 78 years old.