Rufina Luat Obituary

Ma, on June 9, 2021, it will be 16 long years since you left. It seems like only yesterday. All the memories of you, happy and sad, are still fresh in our minds. We wish you live a little longer. We will forever miss you and tang.

Hi Ma,

Charlie & Gregory went with me yesterday in cemetery. Gu supposed to meet us there but she went home

instead because she's going to work.

Then we went to Smokey Bones & Grill

across Target and it was delicious.

It was a month ago since you left us

no wonder i can't get sleep last night. I will never forget those words you told me in ICU " LAKWAN

DANA KA NANG " THEN YOU ASKED ME TO PRAY "IGPA MI" with you but i told you that i don't remember that prayer but is it the same as " OUR FATHER " and you said yes then we prayed together and it was funny when you said i am getting too fast

and i need to slow down. After that

you asked for KOYA and you said your last wishes. It broke my heart

no matter how though i was that time

still i felt hopeless and start asking " WHERE IS GOD NOW THAT I NEEDED HIM MOST TO SAVE YOU ON THAT MOMENT?". Thank you for giving me

the chance to take care of you and i will always cherished those times.

Gregory tried to send you a note last night but it didn't went through. He just wanted you to know

that he lost one tooth on 7/5 and tooth fairy gave him $1.05 but forgot to get his tooth so he put it back the tooth under his pillow with a note that night and guess what tooth fairy gave him $4.00 and left a note for him saying "BE GOOD

ALWAYS". I missed you....



Your loving daughter,

Hello Ma: I forgot to tell you that I wrote a thank you letter for tang to sign to thank the Goose Creek Police Dept. for escorting you on June 11 from the Immaculate Conception Church to Goose Creek city limits on Hwy 52. I am sure you would like for us to acknowledge that.



Love you, ma

Mercy

Hi Ma. It's me again, one of your shopping buddies on Saturdays. If only you are here, I am sure I already called to ask you if we are going riding around tomorrow. I am sure you will happily say, "ah, yes!" I will never forget the last time we went to the commissary; although you did not feel good, you said you did not have appetite, you still care to go grocery shopping for the people you cared about.



We thank you for all the sacrifices you have done for us, Ma. I have a lot of memories of them. One was when we used to take De to Manila for his check ups, riding in tang's truck early in the morning...... When I graduated from college and you greeted me at the door after the ceremony... you were crying...when you came to the US in 1987 & Sam & I met you, tang, & Bob at the airport.... you were crying & said, "ay, ing anak ko." That was the first time I saw you in 5 years. We can write books after books with all the memories we have of you... you wish you had more money to buy us more than what you brought from the market.... of course, we will never forget when you were very strict with us, too. We understand now - you just wanted us to grow up with decency, pride, education, etc. that you, tang, and our grandparents could be proud of. You & tang both did good. We salute you. We all wish we can extend your life but that's God's will... He was ready for you. We know it was coming but it seems to me that you left when we were not expecting you to leave... If we can only bring you back... Please help us ease our pain & sorrow... it does not go away... last month this time, the pain that we were experiencing was unbearable. I remember it will be 35 years on Sunday since you had Ghu, tang was stranded somewhere in another part of the country and had not been home for more than a month. I can imagine how sad you were.... when she was baptized, tang was gone again. We can never repay you for everything that you have done for us. Thank you for everything that you thought us, we know that you are loved by so many people including my two old friends wearing your clothes. I can never ask you to make suman bulagta which you were very good at; thank you for all the clothes that you made for me since I was a little girl.

May God Bless you and accept you in His paradise....



Love you forever,

Your daughter

Hi Ma. You can tell how we all really miss you including your grandchildren because we visit your guest book often. When I am in Oakcreek spending time with tang, Raymond asks about you all the time, too. I told him you always worried about him not eating. Guess what? He is eating more than what he used to now. He said he is bored so he will make eggrolls. I am sure you are smiling on that. You probably cannot believe. He wrapped his first 2 eggrolls like suman. I showed him once & the rest were excellent. When you were here, he did not bother neh? This wk he is helping De so they can finish Glo's addition before they go to NY. Bisa kang tuki kanian, neh? I called Gloria this am to ask her to pack tang's bag because you always did that for him. Maybe she is running errands before they go on the road. I heard they are coming back Wed. That's good, we are planning to go to North Carolina to refresh; I will ask him to go with us. He might go. Ghu is grieving because it is her birthday on Sunday & you are no longer here. This will be the first time that you will not be around for everything anymore. I felt so sad when I heard that you had her birthday card but you did not write anything yet. Remember last year we celebrated her birthday in Whitesboro? I will continue in a little bit. Ok, Ma?

Ma



Thank you so much for teaching us how to use the sewing machines, and make beautiful dresses, and curtains but, not as good as you for this I will always be thankful. I am sure my sisters will agree with me.

May you rest in peace.



Love & Prayers,



Your number two daughter,

Doth Luat Urtz

Ma,

Hi there. I am off today. I woke up early this morning because i thought i'm going to see you in Ladson and maybe go shopping. I almost took my shower and then Gregory got up asked me where i'm going then i realized that there is no more Ma waiting for me in Ladson. God why is it too hard to accept that? You know i made a memorial area for you in our spare room, got your picture, rosary, candle & Bible. Every night me & Gregory praying ang taking to you, hoping that you will answer us. Then at 9am i went to see my Doctor and i told her that i can't get enough sleep and ofcourse i need to tell her the reason. She adviced me to take a break from this situation, take a vacation by myself. It's just so easy for them to say things like this but it's not that easy to accept that you're no longer here with us..the person who gave me life is gone.The person who lift my hands up when i was down and the person who gave me the courage to face the different side of my life. I'm missing you so much, i don't know how can i pass this trial. Father Sol sent me an email - " Ma is now seeing God face to face, we call this beatific vision and this is all our ultimate goal - and don't worry

MA IS IN THE BEST HANDS...TO BE WITH OUR SAVIOUR"

I bought more THANK YOU cards to send my friends for sending us cards, money & mass memorials. My friends at work they're giving me a dinner party at Red Lobster this Friday = to cheer me up!!! I wish i can take you with me but you will always here in my heart every where i go....



Love you always,

Dear Ma, July 6,2005

Ma your love spreds in every way.Everybody misses you Ma because it's so lonley without you.I wrote a song for you it's called "It's Lonley" Here it goes: "It's Lonley everytime I think of you. It's Lonley it just breaks my heart. It's Lonley I love you and it bothers me everytime.It's Lonley and it will all way be in me".Like my song?Sorry if it's short but I don't write songs much.



Love you with all my heart,

Edgar Luat

(EJ)

Dearest Ma, July 6, 2005



Hi Ma! Como esta naka, pu? I don't know if I spelled it right, but....I tried!

My dad and I drove down to SC right after I got out of school on June 8. Everyone was teasing me when I got there. They were teasing me about my friend-that's a girl. They won't believe me that she's just my friend! Oh well........ I hope that you seen me at my 8th grade graduation at Whitesboro High School. There were A LOT of people there. I didn't get any awards, but I know that I did good on my final exams. After the graduation, there was a dance from 8:30pm to 10:00 at night. I stayed to be with my friends that stayed, but I didn't dance though. I don't know how. When the dance was over, my friends and I said our "I'll see you next year"-s and gave 'em hugs.

I know that you are happy now up there. I hope that you are watching down on all of us. We all miss you dearly. Everytime when I pray at night, I always say something special for you. I love you and I miss you.



With love,



Mark

Hi Ma: Everytime it's almost time for me to get off work I always think about going to Ladson to be with you & tang, have dinner, chitchat, watch Filipino channel, etc. Now that you are no longer around, I try my best not to feel sad when I see Hwy 78. I always look up & imagine that I am on that Hwy to see you. I know you were always happy to see me because you always smiled although most of the time I know you don't feel good because I saw it on your face. Remember those days when you & I were on your bed, tang was on "tatang's bed" & we were talking about things in the past & people that we know. I will always treasure those afternoon & evenings with you & tang. That's how we started, right? You, tang & me. I will always feel special because I am your first born. I probably have the most memories of you than any of my siblings. Remember when we got lost in North Charleston? Why did you not tell me that you wanted to go to Paris? We should have made an effort to go to Paris while you were still strong. Don't worry, we will still go to Paris, the shrine in Canada, the Lourdes Shrine in Illinois, with tang. Although it is not the same without you, we will always imagine that you are with us. Losing you is the most unbearable experience we have ever had. Words cannot explain how difficult it is to lose a parent.

Hi Ma. I read the recent entries in your guest book from my sisters. They are heartbreaking & we can't help but cry. You can see how we are suffering. You've been gone for long 28 days. We did not expect you to leave us so soon but I think you already suffered so much that you can no longer endure the pain. All of a sudden, you were gone! Tuesday afternoon you were telling me about what happened to you at home, asked if tang was downstairs & if he already ate lunch. I still cannot believe it. We were just praying with the priest early Tuesday night, June 7, you seemed to be in good spirit, every word that the priest said, you prayed. You even made the sign of the cross. When Charlie left to take Gregory & EJ to Ladson around 9 pm, he came by to say goodbye to you & told you he loves you & he left crying. You told him loud, you love him, too. When they started giving you some pain medication for comfort, that's when you got worse. All of a sudden you do not respond anymore. I kept asking you why are you not responding? I am praying hard to accept the truth that you are no longer with us physically. Please guide tang. Why did you have to leave early? When I see women much older than you, still move around, work, etc. I want to scream. Why ma? Why you? Tang told me last Sat. that he is thinking how he can live longer. For the first time we went to the store together. We planned to go to North Carolina this Fri. to refresh our minds & take him with us but de is taking him to NY They are leaving early Sat. I missed calling & chitchatting with you everyday. I woke up early this am - around 2:30. I kept thinking about you so I got up and did housework. I know you miss us, too, especially tang.

DEAR MA,

TATANG is here today, helping my brother in one of his project. And he decided to stay here for a couple of days. And that's good...

It's been almost a month since you left us. Still trying to accept that you're gone. And I'm having a hard time... BUT just like my brother told me last night, we have to move on... But everytime I think about YOU, I can't help not to cry! Because I really miss you especially my birthday is coming. And it's so hurt! co'z it's my first time to celebrate WITHOUT YOU! Thanks for the birthday card that you bought for me. Though, you didn't have the chance to write it but that's o'k I understand... I will never forget what you've said... TATANG is here to guide me and I believed that... Thanks again MOM...



love you always,

Ghu

DEAR MA,

My grandparents from Pennsylvania came down to visit. On Saturday we went to Charleston and took them to cemetery. Grandma said "This place is nice." Tita Ghu brought you fresh flowers, mommy light the candle we brought, then it blew out.

I showed grandma and Pop pop your 18 year old picture, and they said "Mommy and tita Ghu look like you and You look very pretty." Thank you for taking care of me when I was little in NY while my Mom was working night shift. I miss you and love you always...



Your grandson,

GREGORY

Dearest Ma,

My grandparents from Pennsylvania came down to visit for a while and on their last day here we went to Charleston to visit

everyone there and you.Tita Ghu

brought you some yellow flowers and my mom brought you a candle and when mom lit the candle the wind blew it out.A little while before they left I showed them your eighteen year old picture.Grandma and Pop pop said that mom and Tita Ghu looked like you. Thank you for watching over me when I was little in NY while mommy was working night shift.I miss you.



Love your grandson,

Gregory

Ma,

I tried not to think about you

at work but i just can't help it.

Last Sunday when we were in the church, they sang the music they played on your funeral. I cried like a baby. "You will be there for me" that's the only words i remembered. I keep on asking God why

do you have to go. It's not fair!!!

I wish i can do something else when you were in ICU that day. But just like everybody says, when God said it is time for you to go, you don't have choice but to go...

On Saturday, i took my in-laws in cemetery i wish you can hear what they said that they missed you. Just

keep on watching my Dad and sister Gloria. Don't let her fall apart. She missed you dearly. I know you're happy now, now that you're with my Ingkong, Apu, Dara, Bapa & your bestfriend Tasing. Just keep watching us like you used to do. Thank you very much for the times we spent together. You will always in my heart. I love you so much.

Your loving daughter.

Dearest Ma:

Last Saturday I went to Lyn's house to picked up tang. Would you believe he wasn't ready? Lyn told him, "I thought my sister is coming at 9 am to pick you up." He said, "yes" but he was still in bed. I decided not to take Raymond so Lyn dropped him off in Ladson since Ghu & Chat were off work. Tang & I went to Carolina Memorial Gardens, went to visit you. I took him to Walmart and asked him to picked flowers for you so you can have new flowers. I told him that's where you buy flowers. Can you believe he picked 2 white bouquets I told him we will just go to A. C. Moore - they have better quality flowers. We left the watermelon & the bouquets. We did that a lot, neh? We got you some pink flowers; tang picked one white rose & put it in the middle of the pink flowers. It is beautiful! We also bought you several candles - green, white, he said get that big gardenia candle. I also gave him some candles from Linen & Things that I bought last Christmas. He will light them up when he visits you. Tang & I made 250 eggrolls last night. Gloria did not show up. We talked about you a lot - sad, happy, etc. I told him some stuff when we were young that he did not know. Some of it was sad; he said you never told him those stories. I try to spend as much time with him to keep him occupied.



We miss you ma...I always expect you to answer the phone when I call Ladson.... I only went there once since Doth & Liza went back to New York last June 18 - I thought I see you sitting in the living room. Remember last year this time? We were vacationing in NY. You even played slot machines in Seneca. Did you win?



Thank you for all the good things you have done & sacrificed for us. You are truly one of a kind and left us good memories that we will always treasure....



Loves you,

Your daughter,

Mercy

Hi Ma. I stopped by to visit you last Friday on my way home. I spoke with the funeral director Friday am. He asked me stop by so we can make the final decision what to put on your tombstone. He said we picked a design but they need to discuss it with us. I told him I will bring tang tomorrow. I called tang to let him know that I will pick him up around 9 am, Saturday, Jul 2. I picked flowers where I worked to bring to you. Surprise! They gave you a temporary tombstone and they misspelled your last name. That will be my first issue tomorrow.



By the way, our friend Gloria & kuyang is giving Ghu a surprise birthday party tomorrow night at their house.

MA,



LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME

WITHOUT YOU.



LOVE,

BOB & DOTH URTZ

Ma,

It took me so long to write this because I am still in denial that you are already gone, we have plans for you to come and visit New York and all of a sudden everything went in despair, I am still trying my best to move on, you are always in my mind and prayers, wish you are still here, why did you ever leave us early, we are missing you and will always.



Love and Prayers,



Bob and Doth Urtz

[email protected]

Dear Ma,

I'm still trying to accept the fact that you are gone already. Each time that I'm not doing anything,time flash back the day I was with you in the ER and the first time me and everybody saw you in your casket. Then I just suddenly feel a teardrop in my eye. Ma, asnang kasakit!!! Especially when Raymond asks why did they put you in that grave. This morning, I told him to pick some one of your favorite flowers ( Gardenia )in our garden before Tang, Rey and him see you on Sunday after they went to church. And then he said okey. He also said that when they see you on Sunday, you will wake up and come home with them. Then he asked, " where is she going ride? "

I said, " in your truck ", he said okey. I know that someday, he will understand. Please help everybody to accept that you are gone now. Tang is staying with us in our house and I hope that he will stay for good. Raymond makes him laugh, you know he ask so many questions now and very talkative. Sometimes he will just say, " I miss Mah-mah "

Hi Ma! Everyday I pass by Carolina Memorial Gardens. I know you are resting good with all the flowers surrounding you which you love to buy before. I hope you like the bouquet that I brought for you. My sisters will bring theirs, too, and we will change it every month. Tang was in Lyn's house yesterday; I heard he will be there today, too. He is taking a break going with De. It is too hot. Like us, he is very sad and miss you a lot. Lyn said they went to visit you with your favorite little boy (Raymond)today; then they went to lunch. I am sure you were happy to see them. I kept Tang company yesterday until 9:30 pm. I brought him some snacks & fruits. I told him those are your favorites so he will eat them all. Guess what, I forgot the yeast in his bag. I plan to make pandesal this weekend. I am sure he doesn't know what it is. These days he does not refuse when we ask him to do something; we will not let him win. He said Beth, Tess, & Renie are asking him to go home to the Philippines so he will do that. We will be sure that he always have company. Doy & Gregory went to Lyn's house yesterday, too. No more pretzels for me because no more for you. Love & miss you, ma.

Hi Ma:

Last week I took some of your clothes to one of my senior citizen friends who has been asking me to ask you. She called last Friday, she said she was wearing one of them that day, she will wear the black & red and matching shoes to go to a birthday party. I dropped a big bag yesterday to another one of my friends with some of your pocket books, I told her you sent those to her. I did not have enough strength to tell her you are gone. She was very happy as well for the clothes. Before I cry, I told her I was in a hurry and left.... If she only knew. One day, I will tell her. I hope you are happy were you are. I missed calling and talking with you everyday. I will also missed being with you every Saturday, going from one store to the next and eating pretzels, going from one store to the next.

You know how much I LOVE YOU, MA. Thanks for all the Love, Care and Support, all these years... It's so hard for me to accept that you're gone. I miss you every minute of my life.NO MORE PAIN, MEDICINES and HOSPITAL NEH? Thanks for all the wonderful memories and sorry for not telling you about your condition. I just want you to be with us much longer. And wish that I could still celebrate my birthday with YOU. GOD it hurt me so much!!! You will always be in my prayers and in my heart MA. I LOVE AND MISS YOU SO MUCH...

Your loving daughter,
Ghu

To the Mercy White and Family: I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. You and your family have my deepest and sincere sympathy. I am praying that you all will receive the comfort of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ now and in the days to come. May the Peace of God keep your hearts in these trying times.



Sincerely,

Ann B. Davis

Dear Mercy & Family



Our prayers are with you and your family,

MA,



WE DID NOT EXPECT THAT YOU WILL LEAVE US SO SOON. WE WILL MISS YOU DEARLY AND I KNOW YOU ARE HAPPY NOW WITH YOUR PARENTS AND YOU ARE NOT SUFFERING FROM YOUR PAIN.

WE LOVE YOU AND WILL MISS YOU SO MUCH.

I just wanted to THANK YOU for all

the memories we have shared. Your

LOVE will always guide me. And thank

you for taking care of GREGORY.



Love,

Ma,



Why did you leave so soon? I was waiting for you to visit me in New York so that I can show you where I work --- you would be so proud of me. But don't worry, I know you are proud of me. And I also know you're in peace now but that doesn't change the fact that I will miss you so much. I love you and tell the angels I said hi.



I love you always...

Ning Ning

Dear Mercy,



A mother's love is a treasure, so look into that special gift of love she gave and let it give you strength. The joy of those memories ease the feelings of loss and tears. Now we say to you and your family our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mercy and Sam:



Even though we were not fortunate in knowing your mother, it is through our friendship we offer you our deepest sympathy. We understand your grief goes beyond what anyone can say or do to take away the pain you are feeling.



May you find comfort in knowing that God knows your pain and only He can give you the peace you seek. If there is any comfort we can offer it is this: Be at peace that your Mom is with Jesus and that she will be eternally comforted and loved.



We will continue to pray for you and your family.

Dorothy and Family,

So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.



Eva and Family

Mercy & Family



You are in our prayers and thoughts.

We want to let you know that you are never alone. Keep your faith in the Lord and He will protect you.

MA,

I AM SO CONFUSED ABOUT WHY YOU LEFT US SO EARLY. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT WE PLANNED ON DOING, AS A FAMILY... LOTS OF THINGS THAT YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT MY SISTERS AND BROTHER THAT NEED SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE FROM US. BUT EVENTHOUGH WE WERE NOT ABLE TO ACCOMPLISHED THESE THINGS TOGETHER, WE WILL ATTEMPT TO ACCOMPLISH THEM WITH TANG AND YOU(SPIRITUALLY)

WHAT YOU TOLD ME IN THE HOSPITAL I WILL KEEP... WE WILL LOVE ONE ANOTHER EVEN IF WE ARE FAR AWAY FROM EACH OTHER. WE WILL TAKE OF CARE OF TANG, ALWAYS AND FOREVER.



WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH,

YOUR SON, CHAT, KRIS & EJ

Mercy & Family



You will be in my prays and thought.I hope that you know that if need ear to liste. You will have in your extended family.



Love

Odell,James,Jeanne

tte, & Virginia

Ma,

We are here in Ladson right now, we changed your bed covers because it hurt so much to see the cover when we last saw you. We will be picking up beutiful flowers for your funeral this afternoon. Last night, everybody was here and Raymond said, " where is Mahmah? ". I did not know what to tell him. I started crying. Then Kong Ron said, you went somewhere far away and then he said " why? ". Before we went to bed last night, I was crying and he asked," Mommy, why are you crying? " Then I tried to explained to him what happened, of course he can't understand yet. I told him, someday when you grow up you will understand. Then I held him so tight. We know that you are in a better place now. A place where you no longer feel any pain.We will miss you so much, especially Raymond. Don't worry about Tang and my other brother & sisters in the Philippines.We love very-very much.

Love,

Rey, Lyn and

Raymond

Ma,

I called the Philippines last night which was about 7:00 a.m. overseas and spoke with my brother, Renie, and my sisters, Tess & Beth. They were crying and told me that there are a lot of people coming to the house that early although you are not there and they will never see you again like they used to every year. I heard a lot of people crying. Beth said that your nieces in Manila were all hysterical. You just don't know how difficult it is for us when we all went to the funeral home yesterday including tang. We are sure that you like what we selected for you in a special place in the memorial park because we all want the best for you. We will go to Church in a few minutes for your church services on Saturday. Love you, Ma.



Your daughter,

Mercy

Ma,



Why did you leave us?



Mercy

Mercy & Sam



Our prayers are with you and your family.



Karen & Denny Williams