Cecile Barretto Occeno, born April 20, 1958, in Barotac Viejo, a town in a small Island in Iloilo Philippines. A sister, a grandmother, an aunt, a mother. She passed away on December 8, 2022. This date is a significant one for her, and for us, as this is her wedding anniversary to her late husband and our father Eduardo and the feast of the Immaculate Conception. She had been confined in the ICU for 4 months, which she suffered greatly in pain and loss of her comprehension and state of mind. She had Chronic Kidney Disease, Diabetes, Grave's Disease. But she endured all of it. Resiliency is the best word to describe how she faced her demons. She faced them with integrity and honor. All for the love of her four children and one grandchild.

From Iloilo, she moved to Bacolod during her college days and studied in University of Negros Occidental Recoletos. She boarded together with her sisters Nancy and Eda, where she met the love of her life, our father Eduardo. They both married December 8, 1985 where, this brought her family's conclusion that Eduardo her husband and her children's father, came to her that day and fetched her. They, as Roman Catholics believed in the existence of the Holy Trinity and the Power of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This made them thank the Lady of Fatima, when the very anniversary day in the Philippine Time, Edward the eldest, prayed to the Lady on the same day Philippine time to help her to come to her aide in her suffering. Then the Lady answered by getting her our of her miseries.

She worked for the late Representative of Bacolod Cong. Romeo Guanzon as an executive secretary for 20 years, and went to California in 2008 to seek for greener pasteurs. The family is very thankful for the state of California for she settled there together with her youngest son Rodulf. She had four children who loves her so much. Edward, the eldest, a Registered Nurse in the Philippines, Master in Nursing, a professor of nursing in a university in Bacolod and a master in business administration, Antonette, a manager, Paul Vincent, an IT and Rodulf, an architect in the Philippines, but chose to stay with her in California. Her extended family back in Iloilo whom she loved so much also extends their love for her in so many ways too many to mention.

Cecile's life, looking back are a series of ups and downs, she had ventured in food business, but she settled lastly in California where she had her last breath. Resiliency is the very best word to describe her and her life because it was a series of ups and down, there were several times she
fell down but her children never saw it in her face, she maintained her demeanor and conduct and chose to stand up and fight and move forward. Even if she had an illness, she still continued to work to keep her busy and she keeps fighting even in her last days. The song by Cassadee Pope will best suit her life "I am Invincible" lyrics goes: Broken glass inside wont cut through me, Pain behind my eyes I turn into strength, Oh I will fight, I will survive. Cecile was indeed invincible for no one can defeat her, unbreakable for no one can break her, a diamond cut to last for she shines great with what she do, unstoppable for nobody can stop her from what she wanted to do. She is a hero, to her sons, her daughter and her grand daughter Macie and her family in Iloilo. She is like the phoenix that will burn and rise up from the ashes reborn.

Cecile's family thanks her friends in the US, Fe, Eden for always being there for her. For Rodulf and Rose, who were always there during her last days, during her suffering and pain, they were there to comfort her. Truly you were angels had been sent by Holy Virgin Mother to comfort Cecile. And to those who were not mentioned here you know who you are. Their heartfelt and sincerest gratitude to them. From her children and grandchild, "MAMA Thank you for the unconditional love and continued support. Nobody can replace the love you gave us and showed to us. You are with papa now. We are happy that you are finally together. Please do not worry about us. You have lived your life well and good. You nurtured us well. We do not want to let you go, but to see you suffer, we choose to let you go. Because we would rather endure your loss rather than see you suffer every single day. MAMA WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!. – this a message from her children.

Services will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2022, 1:30pm California time. She will then be cremated on December 16, 2022 Friday. She will be laid to rest together with her husband in the Philippines after.

To view webcast of services, please click the link below.

https://webcasts.lifetributes.com/1244672