Teresita Cuaycong Abella

Teresita ‘Esing’ Cuaycong Abella January 13, 1935 - February 2, 2021 Teresita ‘Esing’ Cuaycong Abella passed away peacefully on February 2, 2020 at Swedish Medical Center in Edmonds, WA. Her sons Bill and Edward were at her side in person along with son Andrew and family members present on Zoom. Teresita’s faith was a big part of her legacy and one of the last things she was able to communicate. Teresita (Tessie) was born to Emma (Magallanes) and Cesar Cuaycong on January 13, 1935 in the municipality of E.B. Magalona, in the province of Negros Occidental in the Philippines. She was the oldest of 5 daughters (Magdalena, Cecilia, Remedios, and Ana Maria). Her high school years were spent at a neighboring town, Silay City, at the St. Theresita’s Academy boarding school with two of her sisters. They would only come home every other week. After her high school graduation she enrolled at Centro Escolar University in Manila and graduated with a degree in Pharmacy. She met Luis A. Abella, who was a Coca-Cola agent, while she was working in a doctor's office in Manila. They were married on September 3, 1960 in Tessie’s home town and they lived in Manila. In 1962, they decided to come to the United States to go to the Century 21 Exposition, better known as the Seattle World’s Fair. Tessie managed to get a job as a guide at one of the pavilions at the fair and Luis worked as a dishwasher in one of the restaurants on Capitol Hill. They liked Seattle so much, they decided to stay in the United States after the fair was over. Since both of them only had visitor visas, Tessie was not able to work as a pharmacist. She took jobs in factories that made jackets. Luis studied electronics at North Seattle Community College and was able to get a job at John Fluke Manufacturing Company in Mountlake Terrace as a quality test engineer. When they were able to get permanent residency, they moved and bought a house in the Alderwood neighborhood in the suburb of Lynnwood. Both of them also became naturalized citizens of the United States. Tessie worked part time until she became a full time mom. In 1970 they welcomed their first born son William Henry Abella. Bill was named after one of Tessie’s bosses and Luis’ dad Enrique. In 1971 during a trip to New York City, Tessie went into premature labor and lost their second son, Richard, during birth. In 1973 they welcomed son Andrew Luis Abella. In 1975 they welcomed Edward Cesar Abella to their family and they moved to the Meadowdale neighborhood in Edmonds. Both Tessie and Luis loved to travel and bought two motorhomes. They took the kids on road trips for summer vacation every year in those RV’s. They supported their sons’ musical interests and sat in the front row to all of their concerts. They had several dogs while the kids grew up, their favorite breed was German Shepherd; including Dexter and Buster. Tessie was a huge Seattle Mariners baseball fan, she took her entire family on a Hawaiian cruise in 2008. She loved to craft and was an entrepreneur who sold the crafts she made. She loved to play Mahjong with her sisters. She liked to cook big meals and her secret bar-b-que recipe is just heavenly! Most of all, Tessie loved being a grandparent! After her retirement, she sold her house and moved to an apartment in the Bitter Lake neighborhood in Seattle. In October 2020, she moved in with son Edward and his family in Mukilteo. Teresita is preceded in death by Luis, her beloved spouse of 42 years in September 2002. She is survived by son Bill (Jesica) and grandchildren Christian, Brandon, and Alyson; her son Andrew (Brenda) and grandchildren Carson and Ciana; her son Edward (Eva) and grandchildren Elsa and Ena; sisters Magdalena, Cecilia and Ana Maria and many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. Teresita's Memorial Service will be held at St. Luke Parish in Shoreline on Wednesday, February 10th at 11:00 AM. A livestream will be available at: https://www.facebook.com/StLukeCP Teresita will be buried following the service at Restlawn Memorial Park, 23800 104th Ave W, Edmonds, WA 98020 - ALL WELCOME We would especially like to thank Beck’s Tribute Center and its employees for their professional and caring arrangements. To everyone who reached out to us during our time of mourning, we are grateful for your thoughts, prayers, continued support and love during our time of need. Teresita will be missed dearly by all who knew her.