MARIA MENDOZA

Maria M. Mendoza Better known as Mary to her friends passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on February 20, 2011. She was born July 14, 1921 in Bauang, La Union, Philippines and the eldest child of Augustin and Enrica Madarang. She is survived by her brothers, Fernando, Francisco, Leon and sisters, Elnora (deceased), Patrocino, and Crescencia. Upon completing her education in the Philippines and while teaching, Mary met and married her late husband, Tommy Mendoza. They emigrated to the United States and traveled extensively in the U.S. during Tommy's military assignments. Mary and Tommy finally settled in Tacoma, Washington where Mary began her career as an accountant at the Fort Lewis Post Exchange where she worked for 32 years until she retired in August of 1993 at the age of 72. She and Tommy were also two of the founding members of the Filipino American League which still has many active members. As a retiree, she enjoyed her golden years by partying, dancing, singing, and shopping. She enjoyed gardening and collecting recipes from all the parties she attended. Those recipes are yet to be tried. She was the life of the party by being the first one on the dance floor or the first to get the microphone to sing her songs. She shopped from the time the stores opened until they closed and always came home without buying a thing. The greatest quality Mary had was meeting new friends, helping them settle into a new job and home, and making them feel like part of the community. Mary is survived by her three children: Carmen, husband Simeon; Ruby, husband Ray; Jaime formerly married to Cely; grandchildren: Michael, Matthew, Domenic, David, Thomas, Joseph, and Maria; great-granddaughter: Layla Josephine Tamayo A viewing starting at 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM this Friday, with a prayer and rosary service starting at 6:30 PM. in the Willow Room, in the Celebration of Life building at Mountain View Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday at St. Francis Cabrini Church in Lakewood, beginning at 1:00 PM, with a graveside service and reception immediately following at Mountain View.