Marcelina C. Bandico

Bandico, Marcelina “Marcy”, age 100 of Ann Arbor, Michigan passed away peacefully on June 8, 2021. Beloved wife of Gervacio, who preceded her in death on September 5, 2003. Dear mother of Marlene C. (Angelito) Viola, Margie B. (Willie) Rivera, Maria Marissa (John) Davis, Marian C. Bandico (Ronald A. Watson), Marcelino C. (Debra) Bandico. Step-mother to: Gemma (Ernesto) Nicdao, Constantino (Sherry) Bandico, and Jose (Racquel) Bandico. Proud Lola of 23 and Great Lola of 11. Marcy was preceded in death by her sister Vicenta. Visitation Friday June 11th 3-9 PM with a Rosary and Novena at 4 PM, at Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 46401 Ann Arbor Road West (between Sheldon and Beck) Plymouth. In state Saturday, June 12th 10 AM until the 11 AM Funeral Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 2150 Frieze Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Marcy’s name to Crossroads of Michigan, 2424 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan 48208 (www.crossroadsofmichigan.org) or Batanes People Fund in care of Maria M. Davis. To share a memory, please use the Share a Memory tab on this webpage. Family obituary: MARCELINA CARONILLA BANDICO Marcelina Caronilla Bandico, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 100 years on Tuesday, June 8th 2021. She was but a few weeks away from her 101st birthday. Marcelina was born on June 28, 1920 in the town of Mahatao in the remote Batanes province, a group of islands in the northernmost region of the Philippines. She was raised by her mother Tecla Caronilla along with her older sister, Vicenta with the help of her grandparents. As a farmer, Tecla Caronilla worked long hours in the fields, where Marcelina and her sister eventually helped to cultivate the crops of ube, camote, gabi and tugi, (root vegetables native to Batanes). Despite the hard farm work Marcelina was a diligent student, studying in the nearby town of Basco. After completing high school she worked as an elementary school teacher on the nearby island of Sabtang. As roads were not fully developed back in the 1930s, she would travel by horseback and boat to get to the local school. But being a teacher would not be enough for Marcelina. Determined to further her studies, she applied to the Philippine General Hospital School of Nursing and undertook the long journey to Manila across the sea. While at the PGH School of Nursing World War II broke out, and the Japanese Army occupied Manila in December of 1941. In 1942 Marcelina secretly enlisted in the US Armed Forces and helped to take care of the wounded, bringing soldiers to safety amid heavy fighting in the Battle of Manila. She served in the 31st Infantry Army under the command of Colonel Miclat and General Folsom, reaching the rank of second lieutenant. Eventually Marcelina herself was wounded by shrapnel that severely damaged her left arm. But after recovering she rejoined the infantry until honorably discharged from service after liberation in 1946. After the war Marcelina returned to Batanes to bring her mother, sister and niece to Manila. As a nurse, she continued to work at the San Lazaro Hospital. She used the GI Bill of Rights Education Benefits for tuition at the Aldecoa College School of Dentistry. She also studied dressmaking, hairdressing and other skills that would sustain herself and her family in years to come. While assigned to the polio unit at the hospital Marcelina met Gervacio Bandico, who courted her by assisting her in lifting patients and bringing her vegetables. They married on June 21, 1952 at the Espirito Santo Catholic Church in Manila. Using her degree in dentistry, Marcelina worked as a dentist but only for a short period of time. The cost of the office space and equipment rental became prohibitive especially because most of the patients seeking dental services were paying her with bushels of vegetables, fruits or chickens from their farm. Marcelina wanted to be paid with cash, so she worked as a nurse at San Lazaro Hospital especially as her family grew. She gave birth to four daughters, Marlene, Margie, Marissa and Marian and one son, Marcelino. Determined to provide for her family in 1963 Marcelina obtained a temporary working visa and was able to travel to America where she worked at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Being away from her family she focused on working hard and living simply to save money. She rented a room at the local YWCA and commuted to work using public transportation. She sent home money while enduring the intense pain of separation from her young children. After two years she returned to the Philippines. She worked for some time again at San Lazaro Hospital. In August of 1971 at age 50, Marcelina returned to Chicago, this time with a permanent immigrant visa. With the help of other Filipina nurses she found more viable job prospects in Michigan. She worked at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital on East Grand Boulevard and lived in the hospital dormitory. Eventually she bought a small house 2 blocks from the hospital. She worked full-time at the hospital and additionally worked in a nursing home on a part time basis. Working hard, living simply and saving money, she was able to petition her children and husband to immigrate to Michigan. In September 1972 her three youngest children arrived in the US. Six months later, her husband Gerry Bandico followed. And the following year the two older children arrived. Finally the family is rejoined happily together. As the Bandicos settled in their new life in Michigan the family thrived as the children completed their studies, married, and began families of their own. Marcelina continued to work at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital until her retirement in 1995. Having served over fifty years as a nurse, she considered herself blessed to have served mankind with devotion. Though retired, Marcelina remained busy as ever as she cared for her grandchildren and supported relatives in the Philippines. She was an adventurous traveler, taking pilgrimages and tours all over the world, including to Rome where she obtained a blessing from Pope John Paul II. In addition, she attended several medical missions in the Philippines, serving impoverished villagers in the provinces who otherwise would not receive care. On June 22, 2002 Marcelina and Gerry celebrated their 50th golden wedding anniversary surrounded by their children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends. Following Gerry’s passing in September of 2003, Marcelina came to live with her children in different households, eventually settling with her daughter Marissa in Ann Arbor. In 2012 she suffered a debilitating stroke that left her with aphasia, the inability to speak clearly. Despite her advanced age, however, with intensive therapy she soon became one of the most communicative and active members of her aphasia support group. Marcelina’s long life overflowed with love from her family, which had flowered from her sacrifice and lonely work abroad. Beyond her own children, she constantly gave of herself in charity work, volunteering at soup kitchens and clinic drives. A woman of great faith, she devoted herself to God with constant prayer and fidelity. Marcelina’s legacy is one of courage, determination, sacrifice, love, and care for all. As the towering matriarch of her family, she will be forever cherished and remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, friend, warrior woman and heroine. Marcelina is survived by her daughter, Marlene Viola and her husband Tito, their children Michael, Rachel and Gabriel along with his wife Mariah and their son Ziyah; daughter Margie Rivera and her husband Wilfredo, their daughter Jasmine and her husband David Wolber, their daughter Gabrielle, her husband Christian Gerlitz and their son Rowan Gerlitz; daughter Marissa Davis and her husband John, their daughter Yolanda and her husband to-be Darwin Cegers, their daughter Andrea and their son John, his wife Christiana and his son John Carter; daughter Marian Watson, her husband Ron Watson and their daughters Malaya, LaVawn, LaShawn and their families; son Marcelino Bandico and his wife Debbie, their daughter Jennifer and her children Jade and Miles, their daughter Tina Rae Gibbs, her husband Dan and her children Riley and Tanner, their daughter Lisa Schripsema and her husband Joshua; her stepchildren Gemma, Constantino, José and their families; alongside many friends and family in the United States, Canada and the Philippines.

Marcelina C. Bandico

June 28, 1920 - June 8, 2021