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BORN
1938
DIED
2019
FUNERAL HOME
7951 South U.S. Hwy 1
Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Maria Benemerito Obituary
Port St Lucie, FL
Maria Luisa ("Malu") Saguin Benemerito, M.D., 80, of Port St. Lucie, FL passed away on February 19th, 2019. She was born July 13, 1938 in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines to the late Florentino Saguin and Consuelo Galleposo Saguin, and was the baby of a loving family with 9 children. She graduated from FEU with a Doctor of Medicine degree, and in 1966, married a fellow physician, Eusebio "Benny" Benemerito, who would become her life partner for over 50 years. The couple moved to the mountains of the Philippines for a few years to administer medical services to the indigent and underserved, before emigrating to the U.S. in 1968. After working in New York and Boston, Maria and Benny moved to Port St. Lucie in 1982, where Maria served the community as a child psychiatrist. In later years, both doctors would continue to dedicate their lives to serving the underprivileged by leading several medical missions in the Philippines.
Maria enjoyed traveling in her spare time and loved to experience the culture and food in countries across the world. She also loved music and the theater, and never missed an opportunity to see a show - whether on Broadway or at the local school. She loved her extended family and opened her doors to countless nephews and nieces as they moved to the U.S. She truly had a heart of generosity, and she gave endlessly of her time and resources to both her family and the community.
Maria is survived by her two children, Sandra Bailey (Richard) and Charles Benemerito (Grace); grandchildren, Ben, Emma, Elise, and Audrey; and sisters, Clarissa "Nena" Frias, Florinda "Baby" Borromeo, Corazon "Nenita" Mejia, and Violeta "Viol" Ruiz de Luzuriaga. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of over 50 years, Eusebio "Benny" Benemerito; brothers Oscar "Oskie", Augusto "Tuting", and Rene; and sister, Delia Saguin Javier.
The family invites those who wish to join them for a visitation Sunday, February 24, 2019 from 4pm - 8pm, and again Monday, February 25, 2019 from 4pm - 8pm at Yates Funeral Home, Port St. Lucie Chapel located at 7951 South US Highway 1, Port St. Lucie, FL. A mass will be held Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 11am at Saint Lucie Catholic Church located at 425 SW Irving St, Port St. Lucie, FL.
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Memories and Condolences
for Maria Benemerito
Sponsored by Yates Funeral Home & Cremation Services - Port St. Lucie.
4 Entries
Dolly Anoos
February 24, 2019
Goodbye Tita Malou. You said farewell to all of us here on earth. You greeted hello to all your loved ones and friends up in heaven and they all gladly and warmly welcomed you. We will continue to love you. Our memories with you will stay in our hearts as long as we live. I have known you since year 2000 and you've asked me to join Phil-Am. You brought a platter of lychees to my birthday in 2014. Few days after, my daughter Camille and I walked to your home to bring you back the platter with puto(s) on it. She smiled and said, oh this is a pleasant surprise and I love puto. We chatted and sat for awhile. She tried to teach Camille few sentences in Cebuano. She said I want you to learn and speak it. Your mom will continue to teach you. "Kumusta ka. Maayo man, kalooy sa Dios. Gwapa lang gihapon ug buotan pod. Salamat sa Dios." Until now, these are the only Cebuano sentences she speaks. So we were walking going home across the street with more lychees on the same platter. She said, Dolly when I went to your birthday, I did not give you the lychees alone but lychees and the platter. I kept the platter made of tapis shells in a special place because I know one day it will remind me of her.
Camille's birthday is May 15. In 2015 we celebrated her 8th birthday a month after. We had a big number of friends, friends of friends who came. Dr. Bene, Tita Malou were there and many more. Few men and women were playing cards and mahjong. Tita Malou called me and said "Sit down, I haven't seen you eating. Sit next to me because I don't know when I will see you again". The following night Lola Chris Menchavez called me that Tita Malou had a stroke. It was a shocked to us. I was mute. From Lawnwood Hospital, Tita moved in to Port St. Lucie Nursing & Restorative Care where I worked for 8 years. Dr. Bene introduced me to Mila. She became Tita's daytime sitter and companion. Mila and I became good friends. We were like sisters. I believe that God had plans, he programs and organizes our daily lives. He is in control of everything.
We love you Tita Malou. We will continue to pray for your family, to Sandy, Chuck, Richard, Grace, Ben, Emma, Audrey & Elyse.
Love,
Dolly, Jong, JB & Camille Anoos
D E
February 23, 2019
Sincere condolences expressed to the family during this time of deep sorrow in the passing of your loved one. Isaiah 61 :1
February 23, 2019
With deepest sympathy in the loss of your loved one. May the God of all comfort sustain you during this difficult time. Psalm 145:18,19
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