May Retino Guevara was a life chaser, a dream catcher. In the course of her 65 years, she never held back, never once hesitated a breath, and never missed the opportunity to run straight into the future.

Born and raised in Banga, Aklan, Philippines, May never let her humble upbringing impede her future success here in America. As the eldest daughter of Gene and Clara Retino, she was naturally the role model for her younger siblings, Jane, Juliet, and Rafael.

But May wasn’t just a role model, she was so much more. She was their shoulder to cry on. She was their guide in a world of nonsense. She was the force that brought them back together in America. She was their everything.

The same sentiment holds true for the rest of May’s friends and family, especially her late husband Per and her children Jade and Judd. To them, she was “Mah-mee” (as Per fondly called her), “Mama”, and “Mom”. But whatever the moniker, she was revered by them as a phenomenal wife and loving mother, as selfless and devoted as they come.

May was neither soft-spoken nor shy; she commanded the room with such natural charisma that on-lookers could admire from afar. She neither ran away from troubling times nor played pity to life’s challenges. Rather, with faith and steadfast loyalty to the Lord’s ultimate plan, she humbly accepted the ups and the downs, emphatically embracing this roller coaster, not with hesitated clenched fists but with open arms.

Asked about what will be missed from May’s absence, her friends and family lovingly recounted her comforting food, the way she told stories that made you cry from laughter, the sound of her singing her favorite karaoke songs…there are too many to list.

Her legacy as the glue of her extended and immediate family won’t soon be forgotten, for how can one ever remiss her altruism and warmth, her conscientiousness and compassion.

May Retino Guevara was, simply put, amazing. Beautiful. Amazingly beautiful.

May the Lord welcome you into His Kingdom where you can be reunited with Per, Clara, and all of our loved ones who have gone before us, and enjoy the pleasures of Heaven’s everlasting life. We take comfort in knowing that you are in a better place watching over us. We will love you and miss you always.