Belinda Nacionales
MEMORIAL TRIBUTE 1/21/2022 DELIVERED BY BIBOY
Dear family and friends,
Thank you for being here today to celebrate our mom’s life, Trinidad Contreras Nacionales. She has lived a full life at 89 years young. Our Mom was born and raised in Negros Occidental, Philippines the 6th of 7 siblings. Mom met my dad when she was assigned as a public health nurse in the same town that Dad was the town doctor in Antique. They married when she was 27 yrs. old – considered late at that time. So, she quickly focused on the next phase in her married life - having kids. When pregnancy didn’t happen the next year, she prayed and prayed and prayed. We’ll, it proved to be very effective as she ended up with 8 kids in rapid succession. They decided to name their kids in alphabetical order A-H which was unique and ingenious.
Mom made things happen in our family. She was the original super woman. How else would you describe juggling a full-time job while raising 8 kids? She was our matriarch- strong, protective, intelligent, loving, generous, and the ultimate problem solver.
Despite having a family of their own, Mom and Dad also helped their siblings and relatives; They supported the education of several siblings and relatives, which is common in the Filipino culture. My Dad’s sister, Rebecca whom they supported through nursing school, in turn petitioned our family and families of other siblings to emigrate to the US.
In 1986, Mom and Dad gave up their professional careers to start a new life in MN bringing along with them 4 kids. I was the oldest of 4 of them, and you should see us on our trip to the US- we were dressed to nines wearing suits and ties! Mom believed that people are treated better when they’re dressed well esp. for immigrants. The move to the US was not an easy transition for my parents, but they were motivated by the prospect of their kids having a better future.
Mom continued to work in the health care field until she retired in 1996and returned to the Philippines with my Dad. However, our Dad’s passing in 2014 was very hard on her. We all noticed her deteriorating health.
So, in 2018, my sisters Belinda and Dina decided to bring her in Gainesville to live with them. That made a huge difference and her health improved drastically. She even started to play mahjong again.
Thank you Bebing and Inday for the selfless and loving care you’ve given mom.
Thank you Nong Boy and Nang Cathy for taking time to visit mom frequently and be her mahjong mates.
To her surviving oldest sister, who is 98 years young, Mama Alice, thank you for your unconditional love and support.
To our countless relatives near and far, who expressed their love and appreciation for Mommy, Thank you.
To all my siblings, thank you for the get together which made mom so happy. I’m sure mom is looking down at us now, feeling proud and happy that her family has so much love and care for her. Thanks mommy for everything, we will not be where we are without your and dad’s sacrifices and unconditional love. We love you and miss you. We will keep you in our hearts forever.
