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BORN
1921
DIED
2020
Esperanza Abanto Obituary
ESPERANZA "LILY" MATE ABANTO
May 1, 1921 - July 22, 2020
It is with great sadness and heartache that our mom, Lily, adored and beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away quietly on Wednesday, July 22nd. She was predeceased by her dear and loving husband, Rizalito, and a baby son, Michael William. She is survived by her children - Richard (Dick), Gail (Gigi), Clarisse (Risse), and Leslie, and also survived by her 8 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Toddy Mate and her sister Chuchi as well as several nieces and nephews in New York, Los Angeles, and the Philippines.
Lily was born and raised in the Philippines on May 1, 1921; graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. She survived the Japanese occupation of the Philippines with her family during WWII where at the conclusion of the war she met and married Capt Rizalito Abanto, USA. They had numerous military assignments both stateside and abroad before settling in Colorado Springs.
Besides the military assignments, she and her husband traveled all over the world on cruises, sometimes visiting some places two or three times. In recent years, she and her children and spouses and grandchildren would cruise to many different countries and continents.
Lily held many jobs but her most rewarding and most fulfilling job was with Young Life where she worked for 15 years and retired in 1989. Lily stayed in Colorado Springs with her children and had been here for 61 years.
Lily was warm, generous, thoughtful, compassionate, and had loving relationships with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She enjoyed a life full of love, warmth, and laughter. She was very generous and her great passion was her family, always thinking and putting their needs above and beyond her own. She was the matriarch of the family and the glue that held the family together. She will be greatly missed by her family and will always be in our hearts!
A memorial service will be arranged when feasible. A private entombment will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery and Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in her name to Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Colorado Springs where she was a communicant.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Esperanza Abanto
December 26, 2020
Mrs. Lily Abanto and Col. Rizalito Abanto used to ask us over for dinners and barbecues at their home on N. Bennett in Colorado Springs. We were a bunch of homesick Filipino cadets at the USAF Academy who really enjoyed the few opportunities we had to go off-base and appreciate the American way of life. They were so gracious to fetch us and drive us back, about 15 miles each way, to and from the Academy. For me personally, since I didn't know anybody in the US, my stay at USAFA would have been very different if we hadn't met the Abantos. Gigi, Risse and Leslie also used to entertain us playing board games over the dinner table.
I remember Mrs. Abanto telling me of her story as a young woman from the Philippines with a toddler (Dick) in tow, on her first time to go abroad, going to Germany to join her husband who was in the Army.
Col. Abanto worked for the IRS after retirement from the Army. I remember his story about passing his daughters walking home from school during a snowstorm. Instead of stopping to pick them up in his government issued car, he drove home to get his private vehicle then turned around to drive them home.
I have such fond memories of the Abantos. May they rest in peace. My condolences to Dick, Gigi, Risse and Leslie.
Phil Villafranca
December 26, 2020
Mrs. Lily Abanto and Col. Rizalito Abanto used to ask us over for dinners and barbecues at their home on N. Bennett in Colorado Springs. We were a bunch of homesick Filipino cadets at the USAF Academy who really enjoyed the few opportunities we had to go off-base and appreciate the American way of life. They were so gracious to fetch us and drive us back, about 15 miles each way, to and from the Academy. For me personally, since I didn't know anybody in the US, my stay at USAFA would have been very different if we hadn't met the Abantos. Gigi, Risse and Leslie also used to entertain us playing board games over the dinner table.
I remember Mrs. Abanto telling me of her story as a young woman from the Philippines with a toddler (Dick) in tow, on her first time to go abroad, going to Germany to join her husband who was in the Army.
Col. Abanto worked for the IRS after retirement from the Army. I remember his story about passing his daughters walking home from school during a snowstorm. Instead of stopping to pick them up in his government issued car, he drove home to get his private vehicle then turned around to drive them home.
I have such fond memories of them. May they rest in peace.
Gloria Montesclaros
September 5, 2020
Lily and I became friends, both WWII war brides of war buddies, Riz and Mel. We clicked and became close just like our husbands were. I was godmother to their firstborn, Richard, then, as the army does, our assignments separated us. Our busy young lives, raising our children, didn't give us the luxury of much time for anything else, but we kept in touch every Christmas with cards and family newsletters. I wound up with six children to Lily's four. It was not until both husbands were retired that we finally got together, got back to where we left off, still good friends who enjoyed each other's company.
May Lily rest in peace with the angels and the saints.
Lani
August 11, 2020
Dear Abanto family,
My parents and family (Tony and Milly Duarte) were friends with
your parents for many years when we lived on McArthur Ave. I remember your mom well. She was a lovely and gracious person.
I know my parents thought the world of her and Riz. My sincerest condolences go out to all of the Abanto family at this very sad time. She will be missed by many!
Lani (Duarte) Robbins
Richard James E. Rueles & Family of Merle Abanto Esmalde
August 11, 2020
Sending our love and prayers to the bereaved family. You will be missed, Lola Lily.
Clyde Abanto & Family of the late Rizalito E. Abanto
August 10, 2020
Our Sincere Condolences to the bereaved Family. Rest in Peace, Lola Lilly.
Grace Abanto Calubiran Torrente
August 10, 2020
Missing you so much Auntie Lily. My sincere sympathy and condolences cousins & family
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