Leticia Griarte Pandes

Leticia “Letty” Pandes, born June 10, 1942, in Cabusao, Philippines, was the youngest of 9 children. Her childhood home was a stone’s throw away from the sea, and she was lovingly teased by her family for never learning to swim. She attended and graduated from the Premier Senior High School in Bicol, the City University of Nueva Caceres and furthered her education completing her Bachelor of Science in Education in 1965. In college, she was a member of a sorority but assured her grandchildren that “she didn’t attend parties.” After graduation she taught 3rd grade in her hometown of Cabusao.

In 1966, her future husband, Vincent F. Pandes tried to develop a relationship with her as a pen pal. Playing hard to get, she never wrote back. In order to find out “what was so special about this lady” that she wouldn’t write back, Vincent traveled to her hometown to meet her in person. This courting worked, and they married on April 27, 1968 at the Archbishop’s Palace in Naga City. Next month would have marked Letty and Vincent’s 55th Anniversary.

Well, let us tell you what was so special about this lady. After the wedding, Leticia moved with Vincent to Guam where he was stationed with the U.S. Navy. This is where she gave birth to her daughter, Gail Griarte ‘Gigi’ Pandes. Shortly after they moved their growing family to Washington D.C. area where Leticia gave birth to her son, Vincent G. Pandes, at Andrew’s Air Force Base. The adventure continued when they moved again to their final destination of San Diego in 1973.

In San Diego, prior to learning to drive, Leticia took care of the kids on her own while Vincent was out at sea for his service in the military. She was known to walk to the grocery store and bank with her two young kids in tow. She soon got a job working at Robinson’s May selling Godiva Chocolates, then became an Avon Lady, and finally landed a job at Sony Electronics where she worked on the production line. She spent the last 18 years of her career there.

To Letty’s friends and family, she was a lady that always had a smile on her face, a lighthearted sense of humor, and a gift to give. She seemed to have a bottomless purse with endless treasures to give when she visited her loved ones. Even though she “didn’t attend parties” she was the life of the party and was always up for a visit to the casino after work with her Sony friends.

A devoted Catholic, she prayed her rosary daily and carried her prayer cards wherever she went. Letty volunteered with the church and participated in opportunities to feed the homeless in San Diego. She was a dedicated wife, mother, and “Grams”, always prepared to support the needs of her family. “Auntie Letty” to many, her home was always open with plenty of food and love to share. She loved her family and friends with all her heart.

Our beloved Leticia is survived by her husband of 54 years, Vincent; her children, Gigi and Vincent (wife Nadia), and grandchildren, Christian, Lauren, Malia, and Siena. Other survivors include countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.