Josefa Cometa Trinidad was born in Romblon, Philippines on April 30th 1926 to Teofilo Fuentes Cometa Sr. and Bernarda Mayor Cometa. She grew up with 6 other siblings. She was the 3rd from the eldest. Her brothers were Francisco, Melecio, Claro, Teofilo Jr. and younger sisters, Mary and Elizabeth. The youngest of all 7 is Teofilo Jr., which she is survived by.
She attended grade school in Romblon Philippines and for high school at West Visayan Academy. She then furthered her education and took a few pre-nursing courses at Philippine Union College. She was not able to finish her studies to become a nurse but instead she took upon an even greater role in her life. Her parents were very busy in the farming business and so in her culture, living in the Philippines; it was the eldest sibling’s duty to help take care of the younger children. And that was what she did willingly, without any complaints.
While attending college she met her husband, Fernando Trinidad. They married and had 1 daughter, Mindaroma, and 3 sons Eddie, Jesse and Fernard. At this time the whole family was living in Cebu City, where her husband was working at Miller Sanitarium Hospital as an accountant, while she went to school to study to become a secretary. Later, her husband’s job then transferred them to Iligan City, in Mindanao. After 2 yrs living there, her husband started leading a different life and so Josefa and her 4 young children left to live in Manila, Philippines. Josefa worked many different jobs to help her children because she now took the role as both parents. She lived for her children and their growth and education. To help pay for her children’s tuition she would work night and day. She worked at the Philippine Union College cafeteria by day and in the evening she worked at the College Health Clinic as a medical assistant. She was very dedicated and took much pride in all her roles in life. She was also very crafty. One of the many items she would make was a collapsing basket made out of wire. She would sell them to make extra money for her family. Josefa was a very intelligent woman who sacrificed her time and devotion to her children.
Even with her own 4 children, she still managed to spread her love and warmth in open arms to care for 6 more children from the ages ranging from 5-10 yrs old. She welcomed them to her home and adopted them as her own. Josefa always thought about everyone else’s needs before hers. This attribute stemmed from when she was a still very young, taking care of her other siblings.
Josefa then moved to Guam by herself as her children have all grown up. She stayed in Guam for about a year with her sister, Elizabeth. And in 1981 she came to United States and lived with her sister, Mary, in Loma Linda, California. Later when her daughter, Minda and son-in-law, Elpy came to the United States from Canada, she then lived with them and her 2 grandchildren. She would then travel living back and forth from Virginia, where her son, Eddie lived, and back to California with her daughter. She had traveled back to the Philippines to visit family a few times. Josefa had now retired and worked with her sister, Mary in her home care business in Loma Linda, California.
Gardening was one of Josefa’s hobbies. Wherever she lived, she always had her vegetable garden. She would grow tomatoes, ochra, and mallungay, just to name a few. In the Philippines she also raised a chicken farm which helped supply her family. Her favorite sport to watch was of course, her NBA basketball. She never missed a game. Sewing was her passion. She sewed dresses for her children and friends. Whenever anyone needed something hemmed, a dress made, an alteration of some sort, she had the skills to do it. She loved watching movies with her grandchildren and reading her Bible daily. Her religious faith in the Lord gave her strength and guidance throughout her life.
As Josefa got older, she lived again with her daughter and her family. She loved everyone around her. Her friends and relatives were her joy and pride. She always had such a big heart filled with compassion for others and anyone who crossed her path. Her strong will to live and her independence kept her alive throughout the years.
Josefa passed away on June 18, 2012 at the age of 86 in her home in Yucaipa, California. She died peacefully in her sleep with her loved ones close by. She is survived by her children, Mindaroma Cautivar and husband Elpidio Cautivar, Eddie Trinidad, Jesse Trinidad and wife Jenny Trinidad, and Fernard Trinidad, her brother, Teofilo Cometa Jr. and her grandchildren, Stephanie Williams and husband Keith Williams, Randy Cautivar, Eddiesther, Erick, Elijah, Everett, Jacob, David, Bernadette and Jennifer Trinidad.
“Our Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Auntie and friend. Your Life will forever be celebrated and cherished in our hearts. You lived a beautiful life filled with happiness and love. Your strength, wisdom, and determination in life will never be forgotten. You are our rock and foundation and will always be in our hearts until we meet again in Heaven. So rest for now, my dear Lola. We will Miss you. We Love you.”
She will have a visitation on Saturday, June 23, 2012 from 4:00-8:00 P.M. in the Valley View Chapel at Montecito Mortuary where she will also have Funeral service on Sunday, June 24 at 9:00 A.M. with burial to follow at Montecito Memorial Park in Colton, California.
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