Virginia S. De Jesus

Virginia S. de Jesus was born in Mandaluyong, Philippines on January 23, 1921 to parents Domingo Salina and Manteca de la Cruz. In her younger years, she enjoyed playing baseball as a teenager in the Philippines and watched games on television. The Los Angeles Dodgers were her favorite team. In addition to baseball, she loved to watch Animal Planet. Gardening, cooking and sewing were Virginia's favorite hobbies. Many members of her family have sun dresses or pillow cases she lovingly made by hand. She loved nature and the outdoors and was a very good swimmer. Her favorite flowers were roses, mums and carnations. Virginia liked to travel and had visited Canada, Washington, Oregon, The Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and San Antonio. When her daughter Dora was young, she recalls going with Virginia to The Farmers Market to sell quail eggs and coconut jam. Her favorite foods were Panic, Menudo and Sopas. She loved her pets, Spice who is now deceased and her other dog Kirby. Of all the things in life Virginia enjoyed, her love for family was at the top.

All her grandchildren and great grandchildren call her Nanay Inyang which means mother in Filipino. She used to sing to the children a lullaby song entitled "Basang sisiw" a Filipino about a baby chick that lost its mother.

The following paragraphs are from her grandchildren:

Kate ~ I remember when my sister and I were younger and nanay would always take care of us because my parents had work. She never asked for anything in return, even when my dad offered her money. Nanay always made good food and planted flowers in the yard. She was very thankful for each blessing she was given.

Kris ~ I remember how Nanay Inyang was always gardening. The front of the house always looked so colorful because of all of the flowers. I also remember how we would all sit in the backyard and eat the apricots that we picked from the apricot tree. Nanay, we all love you so much and we will miss you greatly. Thank you for everything that you have done for us. Thanks for taking care of me and Kate when we first came here to the U.S. You are an amazing person, and you will always be in our hearts.

Rebecca ~ For as long as I can remember, Nanay would always be smiling on the occasional times when she would be smiling, her smile would always look warm and friendly. It comforted me. It made me realize that even though she is in pain, it is possible to smile. Nanay was a fighter. She was a very strong-willed person. I will always remember her and her amazing personality.

Allayne ~ When I was little she used to take good care of me. She was the best grandma ever and I loved her very much. I love you!

Baby ~ I'm always going to remember grandma as the most loving, thoughtful and kindest 89 year old. Her unconditional love for her family and everyone she knows. Nanay Inyang, you will always be a part of our lives. We love you so much and I know hat you will be watching over us everyday. I'm going to miss you so much, thank you for sharing your love with us. I wish I could be as strong as you are. You will always be in my heart.

Arthur ~ My fondest memory of Nanay Inyang was when I first met her in January 1991 in Glendale, CA. Even though she has never met me, she treated me as though I've been part of the family since birth. She was a wonderful and very passionate person who truly cared about everyone she knew. Even in her final years as her health started taking its toll towards her physical being, she remained to be compassionate to all she knew. May she rest in peace with the Lord.

Kristine ~ Nanay was my angel for 19 years of my life. And she will continue to be my guardian angel. She taught me everything I know now. She taught me respect, and kindness and the meaning of family. She is the strongest person I know because of everything she has done for her family. She loved planting flowers and one day when I have my own house I want to plant beautiful flowers on my front lawn to honor her. I also want to learn how to cook so that I can cook for my family, because she was the one who cooked for me and my brother. She prepared our breakfast, lunch and dinner. My grandmother also loved animals. She loved our dog Spice who passed away years ago and now she can finally see her again in Heaven. She also loved feeding the birds and ducks with bread. She was always worrying about me, from the moment I left my house to the time I came home which was usually late. She always worried about my health, and made sure I took care of myself. Thank you Nanay for being the greatest grandmother in the world. I love you; I promise I will make the right decisions in life so that I may land in Heaven to see you again.

Ryan ~ An inevitable circumstance we can't shun - death. My fondest memory of Nanay Inyang is whenever she tells me her invigorating youth during the time of WW 2 and her family evacuating and hiding towards the mountainous side of Rizal. Her whole story takes me back to my Phil History lesson... LOL. Also another side that I recall about her is whenever she tells me I look like a movie star "a la rustom" and everybody in the family and my very own spouse frowns. I'm lucky to have her as my grandmother-in-law. She also resembles and a look a like of my maternal grandma. And now she is gone she still lingers in my memory. Wherever you are Lola Inyang, May you rest in peace. Till Sand Dunes turn into Ice, Ryan

Allan ~ She had taught me how to show compassion to others, to give good manners, respectful to others and to show great love to our family, I had came across teen ager life and she had been there on my toughest time of my teen age life, I had been rebellious and stubborn and seeking for something bigger than life, and she came through on this trial of my life, she comfort me and gave me advice that I should be a person to make a change in my world, to make a difference and make an impact to others. I had missed those times when she cooks food that will bring life to the atmosphere; she had been so generous to others and so helpful to our family. She had raised almost all my relatives and until the last year of her life, she is giving compassion of giving love to us, showing us the way to have a great relationship to one another. She has been a great grandmother to us, so patient with us, concerned about things that you will feel so special for her. That's what I love about her.

Kristine ~ Nanay was my angel for 19 years of my life. And she will continue to be my guardian angel. She taught me everything I know now. She taught me respect, and kindness and the meaning of family. She is the strongest person I know because of everything she has done for her family. She loved planting flowers and one day when I have my own house I want to plant beautiful flowers on my front lawn to honor her. I also want to learn how to cook so that I can cook for my family, because she was the one who cooked for me and my brother. She prepared our breakfast, lunch and dinner. My grandmother also loved animals. She loved our dog Spice who passed away years ago and now she can finally see her again in Heaven. She also loved feeding the birds and ducks with bread. She was always worrying about me, from the moment I left my house to the time I came home which was usually late. She always worried about my health, and made sure I took care of myself. Thank you Nanay for being the greatest grandmother in the world. I love you; I promise I will make the right decisions in life so that I may land in Heaven to see you again.

Virginia passed from this life into eternity surrounded by her loving family on November 10, 2010.

She is survived by children Francisco de Jesus, Jr., Corazon D. Ocampo, Carmelita S. de Jesus, Reynaldo S. de Jesus, Editha D. Paguinto, Nida D. Miguel, Rodello S. de Jesus, Danilo S. de Jesus, Dora D. Boncales, grandchildren Gilbert, Yolly, Marie, Alma, Coco, Terry, Irene, Josephine, Baby, Dove, Arvie, Cecille, Allan Ray, Michelle, Michael, Maritess, Melanie, Marybeth, Jap, Knoll, Ejoy, Kiko, Butching, Weng, Raymond, Zoren, Carla, Belgie, Carson, Francis, Kristine and many great grandchildren, siblings, Rosa Linda Velazquez, Leonida Aquino, Pablo Salinga. Virginia is preceded in death by her loving husband Francisco de Jesus, Sr.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 12, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, Texas 75023 with The Reverend Monsignor Henry V. Petter, celebrant.

The family will receive friends for visitations, Friday November 12, 2010 from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday November 13, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. both at Allen Family Funeral Options.

Virginia will return to the Philippines to be laid to rest.