Isabel Santos' Obituary
ISABEL TORIO SANTOSNovember 6, 1933 – July 21, 2017Our loving Mother/Grandmother/Great Grandmother, Isabel Torio Santos passed away surrounded by her children and grandchildren on Friday, July 21, 2017 after a short battle with pneumonia. A gentle, selfless, kindhearted woman with a childlike sense of humor, she will be greatly missed by her family.On November 6, 1933, a beautiful baby girl named Isabel Torio was born in Buenlag, Philippines. As the only surviving child of Claro Masangkay Torio and Juana Benitez Torio, she grew up in a very loving home in Binmaley and in Mangatarem provinces where she had many adventures with her cousins; some of which her Mom probably was not aware of.Isabel met the love of her life, Nick while she was in college. Nick was her escort as she was crowned Queen Isabel I of Manila Teachers Institute College. Nick was quickly smitten; they married, and together raised 5 children.After the passing of her Mom, Isabel and their children joined Nick (who was in the US Navy) in the United States. In the States, she learned independence and how to cook. She cried many nights in the beginning but with Nick’s assurances that all will be OK, the tears eventually stopped. Isabel’s inner strength developed each day while Nick was at sea. She had to play the role of both parents and she did so with strength, love and compassion. By the time their youngest entered Kindergarten, the Santos family had settled in their home in Alameda, CA. As the kids got older, Isabel realized she didn’t want to just stay home anymore and found work at a local convalescent hospital. Initially, Nick was against it but with Isabel’s determination, he relented. Little did she know she was a trailblazer and a feminist before her time!Nick and Isabel built a strong family foundation in their Alameda home and watched their 5 kids grow up, get married, and soon have families of their own. Isabel continued to be a staunch supporter in Nick’s Naval and US Postal careers. She was always by his side as he led Filipino Community groups such as the Dagupan and Pangasinan Associations. She also accompanied Nick all around the Bay Area as Nick collected coins from his Amway Telecom Phone Business. Isabel enjoyed attending dinner dances with Nick and going to casino bus trips with family and friends. But what she enjoyed most was spending time with her grandkids! The grandkids were the light of her life.Isabel also loved her SF Giants baseball team, WWF wrestling and action films! Dramatic movies and shows would only lull her to sleep. She never forgot any of our birthdays and even as we got older, she’d still put some cash in each one of our cards!Mom was one lucky lady blessed with 5 kids, 12 grandkids, and 4 great grandkids! For a lady who was an only child, she sure made up for it by having a large family of her own! She rarely missed any important milestones in any of our lives. Her love and support will always be a shining example of how her family was the most important thing to her in the whole wide world.Mom, our hearts ache for you and we miss you terribly! You have given us so much joy and we will forever be eternally grateful.Even though you are not on the porch smiling and waving goodbye to us as we drove away, we know you are now right by our side, helping us on our own journey. We love you Mom.Isabel is survived by her 5 children: Arnaldo, Alicia, Arceli, Armando, and Angelito, their spouses: Nedy, Gary, Ray, Anna Mae and Alyssa. Her 12 grandkids: Alex and Abigail, Chris, Danielle, and Brian, Jason, Nicole and Ryan, Isabella, Zachary, Annalia and Nikko. Her great grandkids: Flora and Ben, James and William.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a charity of your own choice.The families of Isabel wish to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Alka Sharma of Island Medical Group, for the wonderful care given to her in the past few years. We would also like to thank the dedicated doctors and nurses at the Alameda Hospital and Alta Bates Summit Medical Center ICU in Oakland for their loving care and support during Mom’s final days and hours.
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