Herminia Uy Tejada's Obituary
Herminia Tejada was born on December 24, 1929 in Alangalang Leyte, Philippines, the eldest of five children born to Sua Uy (of Amoy, China – her “Itay”) and Natividad Escanilla, her “Enay”. She passed away peacefully at home on October 4, 2018. Herminia was a self-described “tomboy” who lived on a vast farm her father owned. She loved to climb trees and get into mischief. She tearfully recalled her childhood surviving dysentery while her younger brother Justiniano did not. She remembered watching fighter planes in “dog fights” as she hid in the hills during World War II. As the war was ending, she sadly lost her Itay to gunfire. She vividly recalled holding him in her arms. At the end of the war, she met a charming young Filipino soldier, David Tejada. They married in 1946. They left the small town of Alangalang and moved to the big city of Manila. In 1947, their first son David, Jr. was born, followed by daughter Araceli in 1949 and son Audrecio in 1955. David worked for the US Navy and was at sea six to nine months out of the year. In the early 1960’s Mama and the children took a long ship ride to America. Mama recalled walking into their new home in San Francisco and marveling at a fully-stocked refrigerator. With limited English, she relied on David’s network of friends to help her navigate their new life, as in how to enroll the kids in school, pay bills, or learn how to drive. In 1962 they moved to Daly City and settled into their new life in the suburbs. In 1963, daughter Rosie was born, followed by son Robert in 1964. She raised all her grandchildren, and even helped raise some of her great-grandchildren. She enjoyed playing the slots (it was never really about the money, but she was lucky), gardening (she could take a simple cutting and grow it into a thriving plant), going to Engelbert Humperdinck or Tom Jones concerts, camping (Filipino-style, cooking adobo and having a pot of rice handy), but most of all caring for her loved ones. Her kindness and empathy were balanced with a sharp and cutting wit, and a competitive streak she handed down to her children and grandchildren. She was generous and loving, and when she laughed, you couldn’t help but feel the joy. She was a great listener, and knew just what to say to make you feel better. She never used recipes to cook – she cooked by taste and always made your favorite meal. She is at rest finally with her Itay and Enay, children David, Jr. and Araceli (late husband Daniel), brothers Justiniano and Leonardo, and many other loved ones. She is survived by her husband of 72 years David; children Audrecio, Rosie (children Evan and Carly), and Robert (wife Judith, son Eric); daughter-in-law Kathleen; grandchildren Daniel, Jr. (wife Joice, children Katelinne and Kailee), Sean (wife Geraldine, children Ashley and Sean, Jr.), David, III (wife Stephanie, children Jared, Tyler, and Jayden), Tricia (husband Hector), Anthony (wife Nikki, children Anthony, Jr., Danielle, and Gabriella), brothers Crescenciano (wife, Felicisima) and Manuel, as well as countless cousins, nephews, nieces, godchildren, and friends.
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