1922
Esther
2016
Esther Tumanut
March 12, 1922 — August 13, 2016
Esther Faralan Tumanut of Salinas, CA – formerly of Kansas City, MO – went home peacefully to the Lord on August 13, 2016 at the age of 94.
She is survived by her eight children (spouse) – Dr. Benesto Tumanut (Sharon), Kelmman Tumanut (Josefina), Vincent Tumanut (Rowena), Carolyn Calupad, Oswaldo Tumanut (Sonia), Marcial Tumanut (Connie), Carmelo Tumanut (Earlene), Cynthia Crain (Mark); her 16 grandchildren; her 17 great-grandchildren; and her sister Miguela Castro.
She was preceded in death by her husband Benito Tumanut; her sisters Rosalina Rimorin, Rebecca Ganacias, Isabela Bello; and her brothers Samuel Faralan and Dr. Eliseo Faralan.
Esther was born on March 12, 1922 in the town of Echague, Isabela, the Philippines, to Monico and Barbara Faralan. While waiting to begin a nursing degree at the University of the Philippines, she heeded a nationwide call for educators and applied for a teaching program. Eventually earning a degree in Elementary Education, Esther turned this passion into 33 years of service as a public school teacher, grades I-III. Her talent with youth was obvious, as she also served as a demonstration teacher, co-taught with the American Peace Corps, was a Girl Scouts troop leader, and directed folk dances and plays. Esther also became involved in community and church activities – volunteering during elections and town celebrations, singing with a choral group, teaching Sunday school, and speaking at religious occasions.
But no matter how busy her career and civic life, family stood foremost. She met Benito during her first teaching assignment, and they were married two years later. They had their first two children during the height of World War II, and the family continued to grow thereafter. Esther cared for them closely by cooking, sewing and mending clothes, enlisting them in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, letting them take piano lessons, and of course teaching them at school and in the home. Most importantly – and proudly – she and her husband ensured that all eight children received a college education, noting that it was the best inheritance that they could give.
Beginning in 1966 the family, one-by-one, began to emigrate to the United States, seeking new opportunities in Kansas City. Esther arrived in 1979, and worked for some time as a dietary clerk at a hospital before retiring. It wasn’t until 1984 that the family would again be complete. As grandchildren entered her life, Esther was always their first teacher and second mother. She continued to teach her school songs, told stories from the Bible, gave lessons in arithmetic, and even directed folk dances for family reunion talent shows. She often cared for her grandchildren while their parents went to work. It was in this way that she developed a strong and everlasting bond with each grandchild.
In her free time, Esther enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening, reading the Bible, doing crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble and mahjong, and watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. She also had the privilege of traveling across the country and to Europe and Mexico. Shortly after her husband’s death, Esther moved to California in 1989 with two of her children. She spent her final years there, and though declining health took away from some of what she was able to do, Esther still enjoyed a full life with her family.
Even upon her passing, Esther will never cease to be an influential figure to those close to her, sharing her unique history, commitment to service, devout faith, moral values, and love of family for generations to come.
A celebration of Esther’s life will be held Saturday, September 10, 2016, with a memorial visitation beginning at 10:30 AM at Terrace Park Funeral Home (801 NW 108th St, Kansas City, MO 64155). Her inurnment service will follow at Terrace Park Cemetery. All family and friends are welcome to attend. Contributions may be made in Esther’s memory to Santiago City United Methodist Church, c/o Carmelo Tumanut – contact the family for more information.
Condolences may be left at www.terraceparkfuneralhome.com
She is survived by her eight children (spouse) – Dr. Benesto Tumanut (Sharon), Kelmman Tumanut (Josefina), Vincent Tumanut (Rowena), Carolyn Calupad, Oswaldo Tumanut (Sonia), Marcial Tumanut (Connie), Carmelo Tumanut (Earlene), Cynthia Crain (Mark); her 16 grandchildren; her 17 great-grandchildren; and her sister Miguela Castro.
She was preceded in death by her husband Benito Tumanut; her sisters Rosalina Rimorin, Rebecca Ganacias, Isabela Bello; and her brothers Samuel Faralan and Dr. Eliseo Faralan.
Esther was born on March 12, 1922 in the town of Echague, Isabela, the Philippines, to Monico and Barbara Faralan. While waiting to begin a nursing degree at the University of the Philippines, she heeded a nationwide call for educators and applied for a teaching program. Eventually earning a degree in Elementary Education, Esther turned this passion into 33 years of service as a public school teacher, grades I-III. Her talent with youth was obvious, as she also served as a demonstration teacher, co-taught with the American Peace Corps, was a Girl Scouts troop leader, and directed folk dances and plays. Esther also became involved in community and church activities – volunteering during elections and town celebrations, singing with a choral group, teaching Sunday school, and speaking at religious occasions.
But no matter how busy her career and civic life, family stood foremost. She met Benito during her first teaching assignment, and they were married two years later. They had their first two children during the height of World War II, and the family continued to grow thereafter. Esther cared for them closely by cooking, sewing and mending clothes, enlisting them in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, letting them take piano lessons, and of course teaching them at school and in the home. Most importantly – and proudly – she and her husband ensured that all eight children received a college education, noting that it was the best inheritance that they could give.
Beginning in 1966 the family, one-by-one, began to emigrate to the United States, seeking new opportunities in Kansas City. Esther arrived in 1979, and worked for some time as a dietary clerk at a hospital before retiring. It wasn’t until 1984 that the family would again be complete. As grandchildren entered her life, Esther was always their first teacher and second mother. She continued to teach her school songs, told stories from the Bible, gave lessons in arithmetic, and even directed folk dances for family reunion talent shows. She often cared for her grandchildren while their parents went to work. It was in this way that she developed a strong and everlasting bond with each grandchild.
In her free time, Esther enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening, reading the Bible, doing crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble and mahjong, and watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. She also had the privilege of traveling across the country and to Europe and Mexico. Shortly after her husband’s death, Esther moved to California in 1989 with two of her children. She spent her final years there, and though declining health took away from some of what she was able to do, Esther still enjoyed a full life with her family.
Even upon her passing, Esther will never cease to be an influential figure to those close to her, sharing her unique history, commitment to service, devout faith, moral values, and love of family for generations to come.
A celebration of Esther’s life will be held Saturday, September 10, 2016, with a memorial visitation beginning at 10:30 AM at Terrace Park Funeral Home (801 NW 108th St, Kansas City, MO 64155). Her inurnment service will follow at Terrace Park Cemetery. All family and friends are welcome to attend. Contributions may be made in Esther’s memory to Santiago City United Methodist Church, c/o Carmelo Tumanut – contact the family for more information.
Condolences may be left at www.terraceparkfuneralhome.com
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