Carmen Ordona Sabado
September 13, 1924 - October 25, 2008
Obituary
Carmen Laigo Ordoña Sabado
Born September 13, 1924 to Calixto Libadia Ordoña and Bonifacia Laigo Ordona, in Bauang, La Union, Philippines. She was the youngest of eight children. She was raised in Bauang. In 1947, she came to Seattle, joining her older siblings, Sinfor, Genevieve and Ida.
She studied nursing, and in 1949 and graduated from nursing school at Cabrini Hospital, which was associated with Seattle University. She worked at Seattle General and Maynard Hospitals.
On October 25, 1952, she married Ben Bacalzo Sabado at St. Benedict’s church in Seattle. They bought a house on the north end of Beacon Hill. She had 3 children, Jimmy, Lori and Reynaldo. For several years, the family helped manage a motel in north Seattle. Ben Sabado died in 1977. Eventually, she re-married Santos Abuan in 1986.
In 1966, she left nursing, to work for Boeings sealing airplane parts for 737s, and eventually creating the electrical wire bundles until she retired in 1990.
Carmen caught the travel bug when she took a 2-month trip around the world with her sisters in 1965. She never stopped traveling after this. On multiple occasions, she traveled throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. She sometimes disappeared from her home for weeks at a time, off traveling the world with friends and Santos. She created an extensive photo album library documenting family and her travels.
During her spare time in Seattle, she would be found tending to her garden and flowers, meticulously manicuring her lawn.
Carmen continued to live independently until 2005, when her health declined. She was diagnosed with dementia and then went to live with Lori at her home in Montlake for 2 years. As her health continued to decline, she moved to Sunrise on Mercer Island for the last 1 ½ years of her life.
Of importance to Carmen were her faith, family, work, travel, and following all the Seattle sports teams. She died October 25, 2008 surrounded by family.
Mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, auntie, cousin, comadre, manang, and friend; you will be deeply missed.
I’m so sorry. Please know you’re in my thoughts
Sorry to hear about Carmen’s passing. She and her brother Fel were long time friends of the family and our late father Cosme. We have fond memories of both of them. We send our deepest sympathy to the family.
To the Bereaved Family of Manang Carmen:
My family send our heartfelt condolences in the passing of your loved-one. May the love and prayers of friends and relatives comfort you in your sorrow.
Carmen will always hold a special place in my heart. From the first day that I met her, I fell in love with her smile, sense of humor and her spirt. When ever I was having a bad day, I would go and spend some time with Carmen and she always made me feel better and I left with a smile on my face. Thank you so much for sharing her with me. Love,Kristin
Dear Jimmy, Lori and Rey,
I’m so sorry to read that your Mom passed away. I don’t believe I ever met Lori but spent much of my childhood with Jimmy, Rey and your Dad. I met your Mom a few times and was amazed at all her needle point work in the family home. I know she worked all the time-your Dad told me. Sorry I cannot come to the service. My email is cadvok82@aol.com if you ever want to reach me. Blessings to you all,
Carol
I am so sorry to hear this. It was so nice that Carmen came to my mother Anne and fathers Maurice services. Our prayers are with Jimmy, Lori and Renaldo and their families.
The last time was in June 1996 you were full of life then you will be remembered!