Birth date: Dec 13, 1929 Death date: Dec 15, 2025
Erlinda Justo Eugenio, 96, of Waianae, Hawaii passed away on December 15, 2025. She was born on December 13, 1929 in Zamboanga City, Philippines. She is survived by her children, Maritess J. Amarillo, Yolanda E. Fukuda, and Rogel Read Obituary
What is your fondest memory of her?
One of my fondest memories of Grandma Erlinda was visiting her years later with my children and her frying rotisserie chicken for us until it was crispy and juicy. It wasn’t just the food — it was the effort. That simple act made me feel welcomed and cared for. I will always remember sitting at the table with my kids, sharing a meal she prepared with love.
How did Erlinda make you smile?
She had so many stories to share. Her love for cooking, her recipe books, and the way she confidently created her own dishes always made me smile. She showed love by putting food on the table and making sure everyone was fed.
Describe a day with Erlinda you’ll never forget.
I’ll never forget one visit when she spent time asking about my family, wanting to catch up on how everyone was doing. She listened with interest and shared stories of her own, and I could feel how much family meant to her. That conversation stayed with me because it showed her caring heart and allowed me to appreciate her even more.
What is your fondest memory of her?
One of my fondest memories of Erlinda was visiting her years later with my children and her frying rotisserie chicken for us until it was crispy and juicy. It wasn’t just the food it was the effort. That simple act made me feel welcomed and cared for. I will always remember sitting at the table with my kids, sharing a meal she prepared with love.
Share a story where Erlinda’s kindness touched your heart.
When she flew to another island to attend my mom’s funeral, even though she was partially disabled and wheelchair-bound, that truly touched my heart. She also attended my daughter’s high school graduation and came to our New Year’s celebration in 2019. Her presence meant more than words can say.
What’s a lesson you learned from Erlinda?
I learned that caring for family can come in many forms through sacrifice, hard work, and dedication. She helped my grandfather with the long and tedious paperwork to bring our family to Hawaii, and she took great care of him. That showed love loyalty commitment and strength. I also learned creativity in cooking from her how to take something simple and make it special.
I’ll never forget when I visited her back in Mililani when she spent time asking about my family, wanting to catch up on how everyone was doing. She listened with interest and shared stories of her own while multitasking in the kitchen cooking for me and my kids. I could feel how much family meant to her. That conversation stayed with me because it showed her caring heart and allowed me to appreciate her even more. She put a smile on my face that day knowing she cared.
