Grace Puyao Dagadag

"On July 14, 2025, heaven opened its gates to welcome a beautiful soul home. With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to our beloved Grace Puyao Dagadag of Tanudan, Kalinga, Philippines, who passed away in Houston, Texas. Though her body grew weary from a long journey through illness, we find peace in knowing she now rests in the eternal embrace of God.

It's difficult to capture the fullness of Grace's life in mere words, for she meant many things to many people. Not only was she a devoted wife, nurturing mother, and doting grandmother-she was also a dependable sister, generous aunt, loyal friend, dedicated teacher, and public servant. Hers was a life lived fully, rich with love she gave freely and received abundantly in return.

Born and raised in Tanudan, Kalinga, she was the eldest of eleven children to her parents, Adelina and Felipe. Grace embraced this role with quiet strength and deep responsibility. She lovingly looked after her brothers and sisters: (insert names), nurturing them with the same care she would later give her own family.

She was married to the late Rhustom L. Dagadag (1958–2017). Together, they were blessed with four children: Jaedicke Rhoss (married to Yngga Latawan), Guia Grace (partnered with Ricky Dickly), Claudia (married to Romeo Mariano, Jr.), and Jaevinille Rhustom, Jr. (married to Diana Bulawit). She was a loving grandmother to Hyacinth, RJ (+), Nadine, Axel, Kyle, Harvey, Tima, RR, Austin, Ayrton, Archie, Irish (+), Aeron, JR, Ezekiel, Guda, and Jared.

Grace instilled in her grandchildren a deep love and reverence for the Creator- always praying for them, and often inviting them to join her at church. In her children, she imparted the values of having faith in the Lord, being kind and forgiving, treating others with dignity and respect, being sensitive of the needs of others, and many more. Together with her husband, they inspired their children and grandchildren to embrace lives of service, teaching them to live with humility and generosity.

She earned her degree in Veterinary Medicine and went on to dedicate her life to service in many forms: as an educator, homemaker, agrarian reform employee, municipal mayor, barangay chairwoman, ex-officio municipal councilor (ABC President), and most recently, as the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR).

She had a passion for travel and a genuine love for meeting people. Often, she left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered.

As her name so perfectly implied, she indeed lived her life with grace. Though the light of her presence has dimmed, it has not gone out- for she lives on in every life she has shaped. She was deeply loved, and she will never be forgotten."