Paulina Jimenez Cunanan Obituary (1946

Born in the barrio of Santa Cruz in Lubao, a city in the province of Pampanga, Philippines, Paulina was the eldest of nine children. Due to a matriarchal society, Paulina became the head of the Jimenez family when she was preceded in death by her mother Francisca P. Jimenez and father Conrado B. Jimenez Sr. and her younger brother Doctor Conrado B Jimenez Jr. Every individual Paulina came into contact with adored her. Although Paulina never had the opportunity to continue her schooling after the 6th grade, she served as a perpetual advocate for her siblings, children and grand children in pressing upon them the importance of education and motivating them to achievement in career and family matters. She successfully assisted her siblings in putting them through college, and with loving sacrifice, she additionally put 6 of her own children through University, one of them to a Doctorate in Law. Paulina and her husband also sponsored nieces, nephews and various students in the Philippines through school. Despite a limited English vocabulary, Paulina gathered the courage and strength to leave the Philippines and immigrated to the United States with Dominador D. Cunanan her one and only true love, who succeeds her in life, along with her eldest daughter Marilou. Paulina worked as a seamstress in the Philippines and continued her trade in America to help support her family, while living the life of a Navy spouse. Paulina lived most of her life in Bremerton, WA where she raised her six children: Marilou, Maryann, Michael, Mitchel, Matthew and Maxwell. She enjoyed sewing, attending Mass, singing in the church choir, tending to her beloved flowers, but most of all cooking for her family and friends. She was an accomplished chef and when repeatedly asked what her secret ingredient was, she always replied, "Everything I cook is made with love." She nurtured her children by teaching them compassion and how to love others through the Catholic faith, which her parents instilled in her. Most importantly, family was everything to Paulina, as she was blessed with six grand children before she passed away. Everyone who met Paulina was enamored by her presence, her essence, and her whole humble being. In return, she loved those who loved her, very, very much and made sure they knew and felt it. She was graceful and elegant in both health and sickness. Paulina battled with congenial heart disease, and pancreatic and ovarian cancer, spending the last days of her life in Poulsbo, Washington at the home of her eldest daughter. It was there that Paulina's husband, children, grand children, brothers, sisters and friends comforted her. Our mother left this world the same way she entered, beautiful, radiant, surrounded by, and emanating so much love and grace. Public visitation will be held at Lewis Funeral Chapel in Bremerton Thursday, 10/28/2010 from 9am-5pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Friday, 10/29/10 at 11:00am, followed by Committal Service at Cherry Grove Memorial Park in Poulsbo. All events are open to all those touched by her presence.