Herminia (Hermie) Barrion Mendoza Namit, born in the Canlubang, Laguna, Philippines on August 21, 1929. She joined her husband in Heaven, dancing waltz with the angels on April 8th, 2020. She died at home.
She received her Teacher’s Certificate at the age of 19 and began to support her family, including her oldest brother, Dominador while he went to Medical School. She had been dating her future husband at the time as well. On September 10th, 1950, unbeknownst to her, she was spirited by her boyfriend and got married by a judge. On January 1st, 1951, Dominador dela Cruz Namit married our mother through the church in Canlubang, Laguna. Our father was a Mechanical engineer. Our mother continued her teaching career for another 23 years until 1971. Our uncle Kuya Conrad mentioned to us that she was his favorite teacher! Our parents have 8 children, Cynthia, Rowena, Rebecca, Ariel, Rainier, Laarni, Charisse and Rommel. They moved to the USA on 1971. Our mom worked as store clerk at Woolworth’s Store for 5 years then moved to Manufacturers Hanover Bank as mortgage clerk until she retired at 60 years of age. Both she and our dad lived in their own home in Elmhurst, Queens, NY. When they could no longer tolerate the cold winters of NY and to continue to encourage our Dad’s favorite sport of golf, they moved to Florida at their current home in West Palm Beach. Our dad died on April 18th, 2005 and our mom continued to live at their home until she died on April 8th, 2020.
Our mom has her own ideas of what was right and wrong, and she steadfastly held on to her own beliefs. We have had numerous frustrated confrontations, but she never wavered. What she taught us is not the negative part of the relationship but the tenacity and resiliency of what human soul can endure even in time of adversary. She showed us being true to your heart no matter what, is what helps you to get up everyday to do good and be able to look at yourself in the mirror. Her family was very important to her and that idea continues to bind us together as a family. She had supported many families in the Philippines by providing financial support for betterment in life. She loved family gatherings and the noisier it was, the better. You would hear and smell her cooking in the early hours of the morning and sometimes, that would be last thing at night, you would hear and smell as well. You could be eating already and she would still push more food and even offered to cook more just incase there was not enough food on the table. I loved that I could eat ice cream first thing in the morning, and she would be fine with it. She loved to dance and loved seeing her children and grandchildren dance. She continued to live in her grand house even after our Dad’s death because she wanted to make sure that her children, and grandchildren have a place to stay every time they come to Florida. Her plants thrive and seemed to magically grow the minute she touched them.
Her Church and religious beliefs have also been a huge part of her daily life. You will see her holding a rosary or making the sign of the cross in the beginning of travels and thanking the Lord for providing guidance and safety. We often see her blessing us with a sign of the cross and with her rosary in hand as we leave her home and drive away.
Hermie believed in formal education and continues to encourage her family to pursue formal education. What always struck me is her push for the female children to be as independent as possible. She believed in the sanctity of marriage, but she also believed that a woman is not owned by the man. She had strong religious Catholic beliefs, but she also believed in women’s reproductive rights.
While living in NY, for many years, she would always help the Democratic committee during times of primaries and elections. She continued to keep up with the news and did not hesitate to voice her political opinions.
For the last 10 years, she had been a member of the Senior Citizens Group at West Palm Beach, a member of the Red Hat Ladies, a member of the widow and widower. She had thoroughly enjoyed her friends and always grateful of what they shared with her.
Hermie was an incredible woman, independent, strong-willed, stubborn but she was also compassionate and loving. Her actions and decision making are always based for the betterment for her children.
She is survived by her brothers and sisters: Lolita and her children, Ester and her children, Lina and her children, Emmanuel & Pilang and their children, Priscilla, Conrad & Lumen and their children, Rosalinda and her children.
Hermie is survived by her children, Cynthia & Barry, Rowena, Rebecca, Ariel & Stacey and their children, Anton, Alexis & Ben (Cailee, Dilan), Justin & Lourraine (Fenix) and Alanna, Rainier & Emma and their children, Mark Joseph, Isabel, Billy, Laarni & Tom and their children, Carolyn,Madeline, Charisse & Keith and their children, Ian & Janet, Isaac & Megan, Kalvin, Gabrielle, and Rommel & Liway and their children, Samantha, Ryan. Mom’s adoptive daughter, Guia & Tim.
Thank you Mom for teaching us to love and care for one another, to be aware of the world and its beauty and conflicts, to be independent thinkers, to look beyond and be prepare for the future. We could only hope that your legacy of strength and will-power will be extended to our children and grandchildren for the betterment of the society.
We will miss you. We will not forget you. We love you.
Thank you,
Hermie’s Family
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