Africa L. Mallari

Africa Leoncio Mallari, surrounded by family,died peacefully in her home on August 30,2012. Africa was born April 9th, 1929 in Lubao, Pampanga, Philippines. As a young lady, she owned a small store in Lubao that helped provide for her family and for the education expenses of her siblings. In 1950 she married Agripino Mallari, a US Navy man, and they had 4 of their 6 children before moving to the U.S. After arriving in Coronado in San Diego County in 1961, they began paving the way from the Philippines to the U.S. for her sister (Amelia) and her family, followed by many other family members and friends. Their fifth child was born in San Diego, and in 1963 they settled in Long Beach where they completed their family by having their sixth child. Early on, she helped with the family budget by doing seamstress work and working at Chicken of the Sea Canning Company. The family relocated in 1974 to their current home in Lakewood. As a kind and fun-loving wife, mother, and grandma, she hosted many holiday parties and family get-togethers, and was known for her great cooking and special chocolate cakes. Her family enjoyed her great sense of humor and constant advice to “just be nice”. She instilled respect, kindness, and “family first” in all of her children and grandchildren. Her grandchildren were loved as if they were her own and she provided many years of care for several of these “customers”, as she called them, while their parents worked. Africa enjoyed a large circle of friends and family, and loved traveling with her sister and family to local casinos or taking the turn-around bus trip to the casino with her husband. Breakfast at Jack in the Box and trips to the Lakewood Mall were daily outings for the couple. The strength and dignity she showed during these last few months through her faith in living peacefully in Heaven was an invaluable comfort to her family. She will remain in the hearts of her family and friends forever.

Africa is survived by her husband of 62 years, Agripino Mallari - 5 children; Olivia Lindsay (Dave), Percy Mallari (Cheryl), Val Mallari, Marilyn DeForest (Dave), Paul Mallari (Angel) - 8 grandchildren; Nigel, Andre (Dawn), Julia, Lauren, Alex, Kara, Miles, Sydney - 4 great-grandchildren; Tyler, Casaundra, Zakeeri, & Carlie - 4 siblings; Arsenio Leoncio, Amelia Pascual, Pedro Leoncio, Felicitas Bugarin. She was preceded in death by her son, Pedro Mallari in 2003.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 7, 2012 from 4-9 pm, with Rosary from 7-8 pm, at Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell Mortuary, 5161 Arbor Rd, Long Beach, Ca 90808.

Funeral service on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 10:00 am at St Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 3950 Palo Verde Ave, Long Beach, Ca 90808.

There will be a reception following the burial at Lakewood Country Club from 1 - 4:30 pm.

Please sign the guest book at www.luybenfamilyd-m.com

Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell Mortuary (562) 425-6401