Adoracion Estoesta Tabije's Obituary
Adoracion Tabije Obituary
A Celebration of a Virtuous Life, Adoracion “Nene” Tabije
“The ideal person bears the accidents of life with dignity and grace, making the best of circumstances.”
– Aristotle
After a long battle with Alzheimer, Adoracion “Nene” Tabije, succumbed to the disease on January 16, 2022. But her beautiful life was not defined by this disease. Adoracion’s life was full of gentleness, kindness, love and grace. She was born to Ricardo and Rosalinda Estoesta on February 20, 1934 on Oahu, Hawaii. She was the eldest of 4 siblings (Richard, Edward, Jane, and Leo). As the eldest, she learned her strong family values from her parents and by taking care of her younger siblings. These values influenced every aspect of her life.
As a young Filipina-American, she fell in love with a handsome Filipino immigrant, Fructuoso “Frank” Tabije, and was married on July 14, 1951. A marriage that lasted 66 years. To say this young couple did the best with what they had is an understatement. They finished school, moved from Olive Ave to Makaha, back to Wahiawa, and eventually purchased their permanent home in Wahiawa Heights. One thing was clear, Mom and Dad knew what was important. It wasn’t how much money you had (they started off with very little), how many expensive things you owned (they didn’t start with much), nor how much status you held (they had very little influence), rather it was family, responsibility, hard work, and striving to be one’s best. With these guiding principles and selfless sacrifices, she provided a loving and supportive home for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to succeed. It is a story of rags to richness of life. Frank and Nene had 3 children: Elena (Amy), Jon, and Robert. Mom was happy to welcome Norbert King (Amy’s husband) to the family. She was blessed to have 3 beautiful grandchildren (Victoria, Katherine, and Norbert II) and 12 great grandchildren (Daniel, Andrew, Josiah, Melia, Nicolas, Gabriel, Matteo, Keinoah, Malu, Keira, Kekoa, and Ailani). She was so proud of each one of them. Mom remembered each one’s birthday, cheered their successes, and anguished over their setbacks. When going through her items, we found tens of magazines bought in support of their fundraisers. Mom extended her family influences by babysitting Eddieboy, Cheryl (Peaches), Lovie, Monica, Danielle, and Isaac.
In providing the best home for her family, Mom developed her legendary skills in cooking, sewing, and crocheting. Her fried chicken, lumpia, pechi pechi, passionfruit pie and other ono dishes were enjoyed by all. Her co-workers remember the delicious and unique lumpias she shared at work. Her love for sewing brought joy and laughter to family and friends. Amy recalls, Mom sewing her chiffon prom dress. Marie Doral, a longtime friend, remembers sewing a purple, hot pink, chartreuse polka dotted dress with Addie for a friend. They laughed for days. She sewed aloha printed basketball shorts for Bobby’s Waialua Intermediate boys’ and girls’ basketball teams. Just like the fab five. Nene’s elaborate needle point work in her crocheting were amazing wedding and special occasion gifts. Her patience and discipline were incredible. But these weren’t her only talents, she also took care of the family budget (making every dollar stretch) and prepared state and federal tax returns for family and friends.
Besides babysitting, Mom entered the workforce after her children left the home. From 1978 -1993, she worked at various jobs in the Department of Education. Ms. Rodon from Waialua High and Intermediate remembers Mrs. Tabije as a second Mom to the students and her joy with them. Mrs. Rodon also recalls traveling to San Francisco with Mom for a conference where she insisted in visiting Jon and relatives. Mrs. Foster from Wheeler Elementary remembers Addie’s caring and nurturing demeanor. They both reminisced about Mom sharing her lumpia and swapping family stories. Because Mom talked about her family so much, Ms. Rodon and Mrs. Foster felt like longtime family friends . . . and they were.
In the latter stage of Mom’s life, she returned to the simple things: bright colored flowers, babies, children, puppies, kittens, and interacting with people. They all made her smile. Sometimes when we walked past strangers, she stopped to talk to them like old friends, “Hi, haven’t seen you in a while! Or, And then?”
Mom’s strong values of family, responsibility, hard work, and striving never wavered. Humble beginnings, three strong-minded children, her husband’s near fatal car accident, or a debilitating disease never changed her gentleness, kindness, love, and grace. It was evident in her smile, laughter, and demeanor.
Mom’s virtues of gentleness, kindness, love, and grace was a blessing to anyone who she came in contact with, “Her children will rise up and call her blessed”. Proverbs 31:28. Yes, Mom was blessed, but we were the ones who were truly blessed. Thank you and we will always love you!
Adoracion “Nene” Tabije was preceded by her husband (Fructuoso), parents (Ricardo and Rosalinda Estoesta), brother Richard (Cecilia) Estoesta, and survived by children Elena (Norbert) King, Jon, Robert; grandchildren: Victoria Olsen, Katherine (Matt) Bugni, Norbert (Shannon) King II; great grandchildren: Daniel, Andrew, Josiah, Melia, Nicolas, Gabriel, Matteo, Keinoah, Malu, Keira, Kekoa, and Ailani; brothers: Edward Estoesta, Leo Estoesta and sister: Jane Lawton; and many nephews and nieces.
Services to be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at Mililani Memorial Park & Mortuary - Makai Chapel. Visitation begins at 10:30 AM and Prayer Service at 11:30 AM. Burial Service to follow, 12:30 PM at Mililani Memorial Park, Waipio.
To send flowers
to the family, please visit our floral store.
Read More
What’s your fondest memory of Adoracion?
What’s a lesson you learned from Adoracion?
Share a story where Adoracion's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Adoracion you’ll never forget.
How did Adoracion make you smile?