Petronila Dacuyan Garcia

Beloved "Nanay" (Mother), Grandma, and Great-Grandma

Our beloved Nanay (Mother) passed away peacefully on January 2, 2021; she was 95 years old. Nanay was born Petronila Dacuyan on April 30, 1925 in the town of Dagami, Leyte in the Philippines. She was also known as Petong, or Patring, and later, Pat, but she was Nanay to almost everyone who knew her and Grandma to the kids.

Nanay grew up on a farm with her parents Francisco and Rufina, older sister Primitiva from her father's first marriage, and younger sister Rosa. Growing up she played softball and ran track in school. She met her future husband Stan Garcia in Tacloban, Leyte, whom she married in 1943. They survived the heartache of losing their first two babies Fidel and Fred and the Japanese occupation in WWII while Stan was in the army. After Stan's honorable discharge from the US Army in 1949, they left Leyte to make a new life in Manila, but life in the city wasn't easy at first. He went to work during the day and to university at night, while Nanay took care of home and their growing family. She was a dedicated wife and devoted mother to all her children. In 1969, now with eight children, Nanay's dream of having a home big enough for the family was realized when they moved to a spacious 2-story home just outside Manila. She was happy the younger kids had outdoor space to run around, the older kids and their friends had private spaces to hang out, and she and Stan enjoyed having weekend parties with their friends.

In 1972, unstable political climate in the Philippines brought a series of major changes in Nanay's life. In August of that year, her husband Stan, son Edgar and daughter Flor left for the United States to start a new life for the rest of the family that would follow later. Daughters Connie, Gene and Helen and son Ireneo left for America in 1974 and finally, Nanay and youngest son Jimmy joined the family in California in 1975. One of Nanay's greatest heartache was leaving oldest son Danny who died in 1981, and her family would never be whole again.

Nanay thrived in the United States, learning and getting comfortable with her English and the American way of life while always reminding us of our Filipino ways and traditions. She liked learning new things like CPR and First Aid classes she took for a job in L.A., or seeing snow for the first time in Big Bear. In her 80s, she went on a walking tour of the Grand Canyon. Nanay loved being Grandma and Great-Grandma and enjoyed babysitting every one of them. She was happiest when the family is together – birthdays, holidays, life events, and special occasions were celebrated with Nanay in the middle of it all, yet she always made each gathering not about her but about whom it's for. Her kids and grandkids all grew up with "Nanay/Grandma's potato salad, and "red" chicken dish, and chicken with "gata" (coconut milk) and whatever we request, she would have it ready. She remembered everyone's birthdays, near and far, always ready with a phone call, a gift, or an envelope with cash. We will always remember Nanay for her amazing memory (even at 95!) and her funny ways. And as long as there is a Lakers game, we know Nanay will be watching and cheering with us from above.

Nanay is survived by her sister, 5 children, 4 sons-in-law, 3 daughters-in-law, 15 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces and many more family and friends. She is joined by her son Ireneo, who passed away four days later on January 6, 2021, and together they will journey to heaven.