Catalina F. Domaguin

Catalina Fernandez Domaguin

Catalina (also known as “Lina” by her closest friends) a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and auntie, has gone to be with her Heavenly Father. She was born on April 30, 1924 in Alos, Alaminos, Pangasinan, Philippines. Her parents were Pedro Fernandez and Regina Banlao Fernandez. She had an older brother, Fortunato, three years older. She received her secondary certificate of graduation in Alaminos on the 28th of March 1941.

On October 24, 1948, at the age of 24, Catalina and 26-year old Donato Rosite Domaguin (known as “Danny”) were married by Parish Priest Jose O. Valerio at Holy Christ Jesus Church, Mabini, Pangasinan. Their love for each other and their marriage lasted over fifty-one years until Danny passed away on December 10, 1999 at the young age of 79.

Lina had four children, three sons and one daughter. The eldest son, Nelson, was born in the Philippines on January 2, 1951. Nelson has since died at the very young age of 57 on July 22, 2008. Being a Navy military family, a few years following the birth of their first born, they were transferred from the Philippines to Guam and it was there, they had their second son Donato, born in November 1954. Once again, the Navy relocated the family to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Washington, where their daughter, Carmelinda was born in March 1956. The final transfer with the Navy brought the family to southern California to the city of Coronado Island in the San Diego area. Their fourth child, her youngest son David, was born in December 1963 in San Diego.

Lina spoke often about the memories of her children when they were young. She cherished the time taking care of her seven beautiful grandchildren - Justin, Lindsey, Ryan, Laura, Daniel, Nelson Jr. and Avery, throughout the years. She was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Justin Jr. and Wesley. There were many kisses and hugs from all her kids, grandkids and great grandkids.

Lina was especially happy and proud when her sons and daughter were married. She loved her daughters-in-law Marissa, Sonya and Dawn, and her son-in-law Bruce. She always treated them as if they were her own children.

Lina always worked very hard to support her family. She worked as a maid for a small hotel on Orange Avenue in Coronado to help provide for her family. She then attended a School of Nursing to become a Nurse’s Assistant while residing in Coronado. After receiving her certificate of completion, she began working at the Coronado Hospital. She provided care and assistance for many patients throughout her 20 years of employment there, before she retired in the early 1970’s.

Lina received her Certificate of Naturalization as a citizen of the USA on April 26, 1971. Catalina was able to return to her childhood homeland in the Philippines a few times throughout the years, most recently in March/April 2010.

Lina had many dear friends that she spoke with by telephone on a daily basis. She was involved with the Alos Association, knew many of the members that came from the same hometown in the Philippines and attended several outings & at-home get-togethers. She enjoyed the gatherings, sharing of family updates, laughs, dancing, food, games, mahjong and just being surrounded by family and friends. There were many grand birthday and anniversary celebrations shared with family and her dearest friends through the years. Lina was a wonderful cook and always made sure there was food already prepared when she knew someone was coming over to her house. Whether it was carrot cake, adobo, steaks, lumpia (she would make her own wrappers until they became available at the oriental stores), siopao, soup bone, sotanghon or just vegetables, it was always delicious and fulfilling.

Lina has visited many cities, including a driving tour to Vancouver, Canada, with stops in Seattle, Washington and Oregon. Along the coastal highway of California, she toured Hearst Castle and San Francisco. She has been to Lake Tahoe, Grand Canyon, and New Mexico. Always proud of her grandchildren, she traveled to high school and college graduations in Ramona, CA; Chula Vista, CA; Humble, TX; San Marcos, TX; College Station, TX; Oberlin, Ohio; and Glendale, AZ. Lina also took a few car trips with family and friends to the casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1998, Lina and Danny were feeling lucky, so they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Las Vegas, along with their grown children and grandchildren. It was great spending time with the family. Lina and her family also traveled to Maui, Hawai’i to attend her son David’s wedding celebration. It was a wonderful time that included a drive to Haleakala mountain volcano, an evening of fun at a Lu’au and watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Lina enjoyed watching the children swimming at the beach while she lounged under an umbrella on the Hawaiian shore. One of her last trips was with Marissa and Carmelinda visiting Towson, Maryland to see her youngest granddaughter Avery get baptized on Sunday, September 16, 2012. She wanted nothing more than to see this happen after waiting 5½ years and she got her wish and attended the baptism. It was a very special celebration.

Lina and Danny, along with their very dear long-time friends Naty and Gene Ritua, traveled the seas on the Jubilee “Fun Ship” Cruise. The couple also traveled overseas to visit their daughter in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1991, and on the return trip, there was a short stay in Hong Kong before returning home to San Diego. She took another cruise to Mexico in 2003 on Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas with Daisy, Marcos and Mark Salamat, and Nelson, Marissa and Nelson Domaguin, Jr.

Lina, along with her daughter-in-law Marissa, came to visit Carmelinda and her son-in-law Bruce, in April of 2010, when they lived in Ningbo, China. During their stay, she was able to take a tour of Beijing and Shanghai. Although it was a cloudy and cold day, she was able to see and walk a portion of The Great Wall. The tour continued with a visit to the Jade Factory and to the Pearl Market. Another highlight was a visit to the historical YuYuan Gardens in Shanghai with the many old, traditional shops surrounding the garden square. She was so interested in seeing the Chinese culture.

Lina was an avid San Diego Padres baseball fan. She cheered out loud when watching the games on television and from time to time, you could hear her saying a few choice words when they were losing. She also enjoyed watching I Love Lucy, Lawrence Welk, Days of Our Lives, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, the Golden Girls, the Doctors and even Judge Judy. She attended “The Price is Right” show in person with daughter-in-law Marissa, but unfortunately her name was not called out to “Come on down.”

Lina enjoyed being outdoors. She enjoyed family picnics at the park, parties at the Coronado Silver Strand State Beach and Mission Bay beaches, visiting Balboa Park gardens and museums, the San Diego Zoo and Safari park, strolling and window shopping around the Ferry Landing and Seaport Village. She often took walks around the park and school near her home to keep healthy and heart strong. For a short time, Lina worked part-time at the bake shop that was previously owned by Nelson and Marissa. Lina spent a day with her granddaughter Avery at Disneyland. There were many occasions when she and her family would meet for a breakfast brunch on a Sunday for birthdays or Mother’s Day. There were many more outings spent with her children and extended family that will be remembered for years to come.

Her son Donato remembers “When we lived in the navy housing growing up in Coronado, mom would take us to the grocery store by the bay. It was a long walk next to the ferry landing. Walking through sand and pickle weeds, seeing lizards & horny toads along the way. I remember her buying us treats like bubble gum. Also, when we lived in the housing we would hear "Joe's Truck" honking. It was a mobile convenience store. It came on certain days and mom would buy a loaf of bread and other items for the family. She would buy us donuts to eat as a treat, too. We went fishing and crabbing with mom & dad on Zuniga Jetty on North Island in Coronado. One day, I remember waking up at night and our dad was a little frantic. The ambulance came and got mom and took her to the Balboa Naval Hospital for the delivery of our youngest brother, David. I had heard they stopped all the vehicles to let my mom & dad onto the Ferry to go across the bay to the hospital. Dad & Mom decided to move the family to Imperial Beach (now known as South San Diego). It was the first house bought from Leadingham Realty, at 1186 16th Street. Now Dave, Dawn & Avery reside in this home. When our parents purchased this home, little did they know, it was the beginnings of a new Filipino Community. Many of the family friends purchased homes nearby. The families were all so close knit.”

Lina attended Mar Vista Adult School to complete a course of studies and received a Diploma of Graduation on June 6, 1975. She again, returned to school to learn how to use a computer and the Internet at the end of 2010. Her granddaughter Lindsey said that she was “Proud of Grandma for taking it upon herself to sign up for a class. I loved watching her read the books and practicing on the computer.”

Her most favorite hobby was tending to her backyard garden every morning. She had a variety of trees, fruits, vegetables, flowered plants and her very special orchids in all different shades of color. One of her favorite colors was pink. She had a special touch in taking care of all the flowers and watching them bloom and grow. She was in her garden the morning of her stroke on May 1, 2013.

Lina has many relatives in the Philippines, including nieces, nephews and extended family on both sides of the Fernandez and Domaguin family tree. She wanted to support the continuing education of her nephews and nieces and their children by providing them with the funds needed. Many times she would provide monetary gifts to family or friends without being asked. She supported St. Charles Catholic Parish which she attended very regularly for over 45 years. She was also involved in special activities with other parishioners throughout the year.

She continues her journey Home to “Paradise” where she will be welcomed with love, peace and everlasting life. Lina was loved by her families living in California, Texas, Georgia and abroad in the Philippines. She was always a caring, very supportive, kind and giving person who will forever be remembered by her family and friends. She was someone very special. She leaves behind life-long friendships and many cherished memories. She will be missed dearly, but the memories will always remain in our hearts. We will pray for you Lina, mom, grandma, great grandma, auntie, sister, comadre and friend. Pray for us. Until we meet again….Much Love, hugs and kisses to you and all our family members who will be greeting you with open arms in Heaven.

Originated May 18, 2013

Thanks to the Domaguin Family members for their contributions on this Biography