Rebecca Dumalanta Lopez's Obituary
Rebecca Lopez Obituary
Rebecca Dumalanta Lopez, 87, of Waipahu, Hawaii, went home to God on September 11, 2021. Loving wife of the late Pastor Laureano Lopez, she leaves a legacy of faith, love, perseverance, humility, service, warm-heartedness, and joyfulness to her family, students, brethren, friends, acquaintances. She will be cherished as a great mother, grandmother, great grandmother, a teacher of teachers, ministers, musicians, church workers, a role model by her life example and a great inspiration to all who knew her.
She was born and raised to loving parents, Felipe and Reymunda Dumalanta and had 5 siblings. They were war survivors in Luna, Burgos, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, during the Guerilla days in the mid 1930’s.
Starting at Aparri Bible Seminary, Philippines in the mid 1950’s, Rebecca studied, got married to Laureano Lopez, with whom, raised a family of 5 children, Reyma, Alex, Wilson, Ruth and Grace while working as pioneering teachers, staff, and mission workers with the early American missionaries and nearby Aparri Church.
Rebecca will be fondly remembered by her countless ABS students, as Girls’ Dorm Mother, adviser, or as a great teacher in Storytelling, Christian Education, and Music. She helped start DVBS Clinics, served in summer camps, wrote articles in the Cronicas publication, and translated 294+ Iluko hymns and gospel songs, compiled and published the widely used, Baro a Himnario Kristiano, with husband Laureano of ABS Printing Press, manager.
At retirement in 1987, Rebecca and Laureano, along with their 2 grandchildren, Maricris and William, migrated to Hawaii in response to a call to ministry at Waipahu Church of Christ. She served in the Church and in her community in Honolulu by working at Bishop Museum. She was serving every Sunday, at Central Oahu Christian Church, playing piano, giving encouragements and singing specials of English and her new Iluko translations of hymns, choruses, and gospel favorites, until her last days.
Rebecca was predeceased by husband, Laureano (74), son, Wilson Lopez (55), and grandchildren, Patrick (2) and, lately a year ago, by Carina Lopez Savellano (30). She was survived by children Reyma, Alex-Susan, Wilson-Shirley, Ruth-Ronel Savellano, Grace-Rodolfo Alvarez, Jr., Maricris-Modesto Cabacungan, Jr., William-Maria, 11 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. Rebecca will be greatly missed but her legacy will continue in the hearts of her family, relatives, students, friends and everyone blessed by her life.
The family members thank you all for your lovingkindness, messages of comfort, prayers, and support during our time of sorrow.
REBECCA DUMALANTA LOPEZ MAY 17, 1934 - SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 Luna, Burgos Ilocos Sur, Philippines – Waipahu, Hawaii OBITUARY
To send flowers
to the family, please visit our floral store.
Read More
What’s your fondest memory of Rebecca?
What’s a lesson you learned from Rebecca?
Share a story where Rebecca's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Rebecca you’ll never forget.
How did Rebecca make you smile?