Maria Trinidad Lao's Obituary
Maria Trinidad Delposo Sanez Lao was born on February 20, 1933 to Juan Dasalia Sanez and Eufresina Agripa Delposo in Manito, Albay, Philippines. She was 8 years old when the Japanese invaded the Philippines. Because of this, she and her family lived in the jungle to avoid the atrocities that occurred during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. After World War II, she graduated from high school and worked as a salesperson at a retail store. That’s when she caught the eye of a young businessman, Esteban Yap Lao. Despite resistance from her family, Trinidad, or Trining, fell in love with Esteban and they were married on October 30, 1954 in Polangui, Albay, Philippines. Trining worked as a businesswoman for most of her life. She owned a beauty parlor, a produce store, a jewelry store, and was a successful Tupperware representative. On March 27, 1976, she and her family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in different leadership capacities for the church and was a committed member. She also loved to sing and was a regular member of the choir. Trining and Esteban were sealed on March 6, 1985 in the Manila Philippines Temple. On October 10, 1996, Trining became a widow with the passing of her husband. Two years later, she immigrated to the United States and eventually became an American citizen. She served in various church callings, including serving for many years as a volunteer in the San Diego Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She passed away peacefully on May 17, 2019 in El Cajon, California with her family holding vigil by her bedside. She gave birth to 9 children; four girls and five boys. She is survived by her children Evelyn (Joseph), Lorna (Bernie), Jaime (Nedy), Danilo (Jean), Lolita (Jeremy), Esteban Jr. (Agnes), Edmund (Mary Anne), and Gerry (Karla). She had a daughter, Lily, who died in infancy due to heart complications. Trining’s greatest desire was to have good children and she was successful at this. She raised her children to be religious by regularly bringing them to church with her and having regular family prayers in the home. She prioritized a good education and sacrificed to send her children to private schools despite the financial hardship it entailed. As a result, her children graduated from college and are successful professionals. All of her five sons served as full-time missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her legacy of faith and learning was passed on to her 21 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Trining loved to travel and has visited or lived in many places all over the United States and Canada. She wanted to go on a cruise but her health never allowed her to. She loved watching TFC (The Filipino Channel) teleseryes, variety shows, and the news. She enjoyed taking her children and friends out to eat at Jollibee, Chow King, and Bistro City. Being a beautician, Trining was very meticulous about her appearance. She enjoyed getting her hair and nails done. Lorna, Lolit, and Edmund periodically brought her to the salon so that Trining could indulge herself. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family. When she got her own apartment, she decorated her walls with pictures of family members. What brought her the greatest joy was being visited by her family and friends. While her health was declining, she enjoyed talking about family members and looking at pictures of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A few weeks before she passed away, she spoke to Lorna over the phone and told her how much she wanted all her children be gathered around her and spend one more time with her before she died. This was realized when her youngest child, Gerry, arrived in the United States. During her final days, they all gathered together around her and felt in their hearts that she was happy and her final dream had come true.
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