Obituary for Violeta T. Cruz
Violeta Tablan Cruz, 93 years of age, passed on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at home in Simsbury, Connecticut while surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
Violeta, known lovingly as Lola Violy (Lola is grandmother in Filipino) to most, was born on August 23, 1930 in Vigan Ilocos Sur, Philippines, to parents Domingo and Valentina Tablan. She graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in business. Shortly after immigrating to Chicago, Illinois, she met Ernesto (Ernie) Cruz, a pediatric surgeon completing his residency, whom she later married.
In her professional life, she was an entrepreneur who donned a variety of hats, from an executive secretary, to a dress-maker, to a furniture-maker, and lastly a life insurance sales manager. She retired at the age of 63 and became a full-time grandma to her grandchildren as well as the rest of Barangay Hartford, a loving community of Filipino families based around Connecticut and beyond.
To her children, Violeta was a tenacious fighter who supported her family through thick and thin, and overcame every challenge she faced along the way. To her grandchildren, she was a constant fixture throughout their lives, distinctly known for her unwavering love for playing mahjong, a penchant for songs by Frank Sinatra and Engelbert Humperdinck, and an endless treasure trove of stories from her childhood, her experiences during the Second World War, and her early adulthood.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Ernesto Jr. (Nesty) and Joy, Eileen and Julius, Lenore (Peachy) and John, and Yasmin (Yammy) and Vince. She was a proud grandmother to 11 grandchildren: Kevin, Kirby, Tim, Katrina, Justine (Bettina), Julian, Carlo, Paulo, Gabriel (Paco), Leah, and Elaina. She also was able to meet her recently born great-grandchild, Camilla, 2 months prior. Violeta’s husband, Ernie, passed in 1993. Her eldest son, Edwin (spouse: Chilly) passed in 2021.
A viewing will be hosted from 6:00-8:00pm on Thursday, February 8th, at the Vincent Funeral Home at 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury, CT. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 9th, 1:00 pm, at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 265 Stratton Brook Road in West Simsbury, CT. Burial will follow in the Simsbury Cemetery at 16 Plank Hill Road. Please visit Violeta “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.
Violeta, known lovingly as Lola Violy (Lola is grandmother in Filipino) to most, was born on August 23, 1930 in Vigan Ilocos Sur, Philippines, to parents Domingo and Valentina Tablan. She graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in business. Shortly after immigrating to Chicago, Illinois, she met Ernesto (Ernie) Cruz, a pediatric surgeon completing his residency, whom she later married.
In her professional life, she was an entrepreneur who donned a variety of hats, from an executive secretary, to a dress-maker, to a furniture-maker, and lastly a life insurance sales manager. She retired at the age of 63 and became a full-time grandma to her grandchildren as well as the rest of Barangay Hartford, a loving community of Filipino families based around Connecticut and beyond.
To her children, Violeta was a tenacious fighter who supported her family through thick and thin, and overcame every challenge she faced along the way. To her grandchildren, she was a constant fixture throughout their lives, distinctly known for her unwavering love for playing mahjong, a penchant for songs by Frank Sinatra and Engelbert Humperdinck, and an endless treasure trove of stories from her childhood, her experiences during the Second World War, and her early adulthood.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Ernesto Jr. (Nesty) and Joy, Eileen and Julius, Lenore (Peachy) and John, and Yasmin (Yammy) and Vince. She was a proud grandmother to 11 grandchildren: Kevin, Kirby, Tim, Katrina, Justine (Bettina), Julian, Carlo, Paulo, Gabriel (Paco), Leah, and Elaina. She also was able to meet her recently born great-grandchild, Camilla, 2 months prior. Violeta’s husband, Ernie, passed in 1993. Her eldest son, Edwin (spouse: Chilly) passed in 2021.
A viewing will be hosted from 6:00-8:00pm on Thursday, February 8th, at the Vincent Funeral Home at 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury, CT. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 9th, 1:00 pm, at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 265 Stratton Brook Road in West Simsbury, CT. Burial will follow in the Simsbury Cemetery at 16 Plank Hill Road. Please visit Violeta “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com