Trinidad Nelson

I thought about writing a common obituary. However, Mom would probably wanted me to write about her life as a story. A short one.

On May 23, 1945, in a small town of Plaridel in the city of Santiago in Isabela province in the Republic of the Philippines, Mom was born to Gregorio Francisco and Clara Acosta. Mom's siblings were Flora, Modesta, Rico and Caridad. My grand parents (mom's parents) are no longer with us. I don't know who among the Titas and Tito went to heaven or who are still with us. When Mom was 21 years old, she decided to be my father's, Jamie Ambros's, wife. Out of that union came Ate Terry, Kuya Bernie, Ferdinand and me. Ate Terry has three children: Jury, Jordan and Jemcer. Kuya Bernie has two: Alexis and Xander. I have one: Logan. Ferdinand enjoys being Tito to his nephews and neice. Tatay went to heaven before our family moved to Montana.

On March 10, 1983, Mom decided to marry Dad, Theo Martin Nelson, in Hong Kong where she worked as a nanny. Mom and Dad did not have any children. I remember telling them that it would have been awesome if they had. A few years after Dad relocated Mom in Laurel, Montana, she decided to start coordinating organized picnics with other Filipinas and their families. The annual picnics in July brought together the American, Asian and Filipino communities. I think, later on, Mom added an annual get together for Christmas's too. Ate Terry has recently had the privilege of continuing Mom's picnics. In addition to gathering with family and friends, Mom loved to dance and karaoke. She also loved to travel, which worked out well because Dad loved to drive. What a pair! Mom was also an entrepreneur: she owned a beauty shop and was a licensed cosmetologist. Dad built her a small shop on Magelssen Road where the family property was located. She had customers near and far until other beauty shops started popping up in Laurel and Billings. Despite this increase in competition, Mom's most loyal customers still came. Just as she had a wide range of customers, Mom has friends near and far. She had never met a stranger. Mom always had a smile for everyone, and most especially for Dad. Mom and Dad were inseparable until he decided to have his many chats with God in heaven, instead of here on earth, on Thanksgiving Day of 2014. Losing Dad affected Mom tremendously in all sense of her being. Her health especially suffered as her well being deteriorated. Despite these challenges, Mom fought a good fight to stay with us as long as she could. Ultimately, on July 31st, Mom decided for one last time that she didn't want to miss watching any more Monday night wrestling with Dad.

I'm sure heaven has a big wrestling following. So God, enjoy having Mom and Dad as your most enthusiastic viewing partners.

We love you and miss you Mom. Forever. Rest In Peace, Mom.

Translation:

Tatay - Father
Ate - Older sister
Kuya - Older brother
Tito - Mom's brother
Tita - Mom's sister