In Loving Memory Of Marciana De Castro Cipriano

With grateful hearts and deep love, we celebrate the life of Marciana De Castro Cipriano, affectionately known as Inang, who passed away peacefully on May 19, 2025, at the age of 91. Her life was one of resilience, kindness, and unwavering devotion to her family. Leaving behind a legacy that will live on in all of us.
Marciana was born on January 1, 1934, in Salangan, San Miguel, Bulacan, Philippines. Life tested her early. She endured unimaginable hardship early in life, losing both of her parents during the Japanese invasion and occupation of the Philippines in World War II. She was in her early teens when she became orphaned, yet she rose with strength and courage to raise her younger brothers, Antonio and Renato De Castro becoming both mother and father to them.
As a young woman, she moved to Taguig City to help her uncle plant rice. At age 18, she married her beloved husband, Leoncio Cipriano, also known as Amang Alonzo. Together, they built a humble life filled with love, sacrifice, and perseverance. Inang did whatever it took to provide for their six children-Nita, Rhodora, Nilda, Elmer, Marissa, and Homer-so they could pursue higher education and a better future.
To support the family, Inang sold vegetables in the local marketplace called palengke, ran a sari-sari store in front of their home, and cooked delicious Filipino food that she sold in the neighborhood. Her food was more than just a meal. It was an experience of warmth, love, and home. Everyone who tasted it remembered the flavor, and more importantly, the heart behind it.
In 1990, she and Amang fulfilled one of their lifelong dreams: they moved to America-a dream rooted in hope, a search for prosperity, and a desire to leave behind the hardships they had endured in the Philippines. For them, coming to the U.S. symbolized success and new beginnings.
Inang continued to serve and care for others here just as she did back home. She lovingly babysat and raised many of her grandchildren, providing them with the same affection, values, and patience she had shown her own children. Her home was always open, always warm, and always filled with the smell of her cooking and the sound of her laughter.
She welcomed her children's spouses-Rodrigo, Alexander, Robert, Elizabeth, Tomas, and Flordeliza-into the family with open arms. She was a proud grandmother to Christian, Kristine, Anne Marie, Anna, Ana Rizelle, Jonas, Matthew, John Allen Marc, Chanelle, Jillian, Julian, Earl John, Alyssa, Sophia, and Carl, and a loving great-grandmother to Caleb, Calvin, Coby, Kaydence and Emynence. She also cherished her grandchildren's spouses-Cherry, Dennis, Abhi, Vu, and Jon-who became part of her growing family and were loved as her own.
Marciana's life was defined by resilience, faith, and boundless love. She worked hard, gave generously, and never asked for anything in return. She was the heart of our family-our steady anchor through every season of life.
We already miss her deeply. Her gentle touch, her wise words, her quiet strength but her spirit will live on in all of us. The values she lived by, the love she gave so freely, and the memories she left behind will continue to guide and inspire us.
Rest in peace, Inang! "We miss you, and we love you!"
A viewing will be held on June 19th, 2025, at 5pm-8pm PST, with a vigil mass at 6pm at Holy Cross Cemetery & Funeral Center where family and friends will gather to honor and celebrate her life.
Holy Cross Cemetery & Funeral Center
2200 E 18th St., Antioch CA 94509
A memorial mass will be held on June 20th, 2025, at 10am PST at Most Holy Rosary Church.
Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church
1313 A St., Antioch CA 94509