Priscilla Jane Ignacio Rivera Hanson, 91, went to Heaven on ☀️October 13, 2021, in Ventura, California. 

💜 The following was told by Priscilla herself, or witnessed by her children, family, and friends.

Priscilla was the oldest of 5 children, born in Honolulu, Hawaii to Anastacio Ignacio Rivera, Sr. of the Philippines and Elizabeth Constance Kamsin Yuen-Lee of Honolulu, Hawaii. Her maternal grandfather Alexander came from Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. Her maternal grandmother Josephine came from Kauai. When she was 6 years of age, her younger sister Violet passed on at 12 months old from an illness. Since Priscilla was the oldest child, she had helped to take care of Violet. During the wake/ funeral the little casket was in the living room with the friends and family over, many of them Chinese females who were crying. Priscilla was in the bedroom in her bed with the door closed. All of a sudden, she felt a light kiss on her cheek! She screamed and sat up and the adults came in. She tried to explain what happened and was told to go back to bed. Her story never changed decades later - she knew Violet had kissed her goodbye. 💜

Priscilla's other siblings are Rose (Rosie), Anastacio, Jr. (Sonny), Diana, and half-brother Andy Temporal. 💞

Her paternal grandmother is Amelia Rivera, who was an opera singer in the Philippines, and sang at the wedding of King Alfonso XIII of Spain. Priscilla thought her paternal grandfather may have been the famous Teodoro R. Yangco of Manila, as told to her by her father. She and Teodoro also happen to share the same birthday. Amelia was not married. Her other son is Amado Rivera. He passed on as a prisoner of war in a concentration camp in the Philippines, yet his daughter became a famous actress there - Rosita Rivera. Rosita's granddaughter is the famous actress Dina Bonnevie in the Philippes. She and Priscilla are cousins!

Priscilla's mother left the family when she was 9 years of age. Her father "Papa" worked full-time at Pearl Harbor, and also at one point - had his own detective agency on Hotel St. He had also been a professional cook in the Navy and would cook many Filipino dishes and meals for his friends who had special events. Many babysitters came to watch the 4 kids, but they did not work out. One day while Priscilla was attempting to make candy on the stove, the drapes nearby caught fire. A neighbor must have seen the smoke. The firemen showed up and found the 4 children alone in the house. About a week later, a lady from Social Services showed up and told Priscilla she was going to take them all out for ice cream. She also asked her to pack overnight bags for all the kids as they were spending the night at another place.  When they actually arrived at St. Mary's Home for children, the adults tried to separate Sonny from his sisters and place him with males. Priscilla spoke up and protected her brother, "He's staying with us!" And so, he did, until he was older - then he went on to a boy's home.

Priscilla's family called her by her middle name, Jane. When she attended a new elementary school, her teacher read the roll call and said, "Since Priscilla is your first name - that is how you will be addressed!" And so even though her family called her Jane - she preferred to be called Priscilla. She liked it better. And all of her nieces and nephews called her Auntie Jane. She welcomed it with affection. 😊

Priscilla's happiest memories of "the home" were when Papa would visit them. He was a hit with all the other kids also because he would bring extra candy -just for them - he was very kind and thought of them too. Priscilla left the home when she was 14, after she was slapped by one of the two ladies who ran it. "Just wait until I tell my Papa!" And she did - and he came for her that day - she left the home for good.

Priscilla got a scholarship to a private all-girls school - St. Andrew's Priory and graduated from there at age 19. She had to repeat a year there upon arriving because she came from a public school. After graduation she went to work for Major Babcock and his wife at Hickam Field Air Force Base. She was a live-in nanny for his two children, Cheryl and Bobbie. She lived with them Monday-Friday for about 4 years until he got transferred out of Hawaii. She went home on weekends to stay with Papa. Decades later in 2015 she met Bobbie "Bob" Babcock in Arizona - what a reunion! They also met up again in Oceanside, Ca.  by the pier within the last few years.

While working for a family at age 14, she had the opportunity to meet and assist the famous swimmer/ actress Esther Williams, who was christening a swimming pool at Hickam Air Force Base. The interaction thrilled her, and she loved talking about it! She spent hours with her as her "towel girl assistant."

Priscilla eventually went to work at the Front Desk of the Kapua Hotel on King St. in Honolulu, across from McKinley High School. Her sister Diana attended there and would visit her at the hotel after school. She had many interesting experiences there with the varied guests. She met her artist friend Dorothy Furuya there, who gave her a personal sea painting many decades later. When she eventually moved to the mainland, she already had about 100 addresses to write to. She sets the record for remembering all birthdays for her family, friends, and relatives - and sending them each a card yearly. As long as she had an address - you got a card! 💌 And with stickers! She LOVES birthday stickers!  🎂🍦🍧🍨🍰🎈🎁🧁🎉🥳💐🥂🦄💜🍩🍭🎀🌈

The most difficult and painful time of Priscilla's life was after meeting, and then marrying, her spouse. She did not know her life would go the way it did, or turn out the way it had. Yet, she did not regret her children. She remembered their births and bringing them home from the hospital - each year that they had a birthday.

Peter Damien Hanson was born on October 28, 1963, in Lebanon Kentucky. He went to Heaven on November 14, 1963. He was Priscilla's fourth child. She was home alone and found him in the crib in the morning. The night before he had seemed a bit sick. She was not sure if he was really still alive, but she baptized him. His father came home and rushed him to the doctor. He was gone, and the cause seemed crib death. Sudden infant syndrome. Priscilla did not want an autopsy done. She thought of him every day since he left. She said he looked like his Uncle Eric Hanson. Peter paid a visit to her by kicking and nudging her in her side twice when she was alone, after prayers were said for a sign from him -a visit. This happened about 2015.

Priscilla worked as a housekeeper at the Casa Sirena Hotel in Oxnard, California beginning in 1977. She was such a thorough employee she was promoted to Supervisor. She had many funny and interesting stories of the celebrity guests who stayed there. She was well-loved by the hotel staff and the hotel guests. Many of the guests gave her financial gifts to show their appreciation to her for her loving, caring, & warm attitude of hospitality. A highlight was meeting Mr. Cesar Chavez, the American civil rights activist. A funny story was when she and her Caucasian co-worker (Carmen) were sitting in the break room, along with their Hispanic co-workers. They were suddenly alerted that Immigration was outside and they all got up and ran out in fear and chaos. Carmen then stopped herself and Priscilla and said, "What the heck are we running for? We're not illegal!"  She loved getting her free turkeys there for Thanksgiving. Her son Mark also ended up working there in banquets, so they saw each other on the job.

After Priscilla left the hotel, she later worked as a personal home caregiver for various clients around Ventura County. They all loved her, even when a particular client, Arthur, was trying to sneak drinks to get drunk. He did verbal battle with Priscilla, and she won. She also cared for M*A*S*H actor Jamie Farr's cousin in Oxnard.

Priscilla was able to return to Hawaii about 3-4 times after she left. She only wanted to live there if Papa was still there. Her maternal grandparents (Alexander and Josephine) are buried in the Chinese Cemetery in Honolulu. Papa is buried at Punchbowl. Violet and Andy are buried at Diamond Head. 

Priscilla's children are Malcolm, Paula Anastasia, Peter, Cecelia, Theresa, and Mark. Her grandchildren and their families are:  Brittny (Nolan Smith) Aria Jane and Dylan. Rachele McDonald (Nick). Tamara Hanson. Alyssa (Jeff Corse) Mia and Maddie and Carson. Jasmine Miranda (Brian) Kobe and Marley. Cody Austin. Zeppelin Hanson. Han Solo (Akita), Princess Leia (Akita), and Obi-Wan (Awesome Cat).

Her sister is Rosie Ometer of Colorado. Her children are Glynis, Paul & Linda, and Mikie & Kathy. Glynis's son is Kyle. Paul's children are Rachel and David. Mikie's children are Allison, Michael, and Noah.

Her sister Diana Jacqueline DeMello went to Heaven after Priscilla, on 7/21/22. Diana's children are Donnie, Evaeon & John, and Renee & Shane. Donnie's children are Karsen and Leighton, Evaeon's son is Christopher, and Renee's son is Derrick (his children are Emma and Mason).

Her brother "Sonny" Rivera went to Heaven before Priscilla. His wife is Dianne Rivera. His children are Ryan, Dawn & Daniel, Desiree & Greg, Darleen & Jeff, and Quinton & Ann. Ryan's son is Ben. Dawn's children are Aiden, Andrew, and 💜Ariel. Darleen's children are Jane, Sean, and Emily. Quinton's son is Adam.

Her half-brother Andy Temporal went to Heaven before Priscilla. His children are Noelle and Nicholas.

Priscilla went to a dialysis clinic, "The Clinic" 3 times a week. She loved the social aspect of it and seeing all of her friends and staff - especially the Filipinos! Vic was the charge nurse, and Jose reminded her of Papa. They all LOVED Priscilla and talked about her as being the "favorite patient" among the staff. Of course she was.💖

Lois and Ed Suzuki were her dear friends from Hawaii, whom she met at The Clinic. They celebrated many meals and holidays together. They are all reunited now. 🌺🌺🌺

Her "Boston Son" is Mr. Bruce Thomas Boccardy, a longtime family friend and supporter of Priscilla, Malcolm, and the whole family. He always had her back financially and emotionally and welcomed her to live with him if he moved to California.

Her other dear and kind friend is BJ Loughman. He also deeply loved and cared about Priscilla, opening his beautiful ocean view home to her and allowing her to live there as long as she wanted to. A HUGE Thank You to BJ for saving Priscilla's life on 8/15/21 when she had the stroke. It was BJ who found her, called 911, and got the paramedics to her, allowing her to live for another two months. We are eternally grateful to BJ. ✝️

Priscilla regularly supported all wounded Veteran's Organizations including Wounded Warriors and HealVets.org, St. Jude Children's Hospital, and Easter Seals. Even if she could only send in $5 - she did it. Her sweet loving energy wanted to help all in need.

Priscilla could shock you at times. She had a crush on Jack Lord of Hawaii Five-O. 🍍🥥🌴She knew Madonna's voice on the radio when riding in the car. She loved the GEICO 🦎gecko! And her football - don't mess with Mama's football! When the weekend games were on, she would tell you all about them, and also the players' families! 🏈  What she missed most about Hawaii was the food. She liked to eat with chopsticks 🥢eating Asian food. MUST- HAVE- SPAM. And KIKKOMAN soy sauce! Her daughter Theresa called her Hop Sing 👲 (Bonanza).

Priscilla loves people, babies, and animals. She is very friendly, and she loves to talk! For a while she was known as CNN😊. She also liked Morris🐱the cat on TV. She loves OWLS🦉- her favorite bird! Her voice - so warm, so loving:  one-of-a-kind. She was known for asking you what you had for breakfast, for lunch, for dinner........! 😂 And what seemed to make her laugh the hardest - as in not being able to catch her breath - was remembering when Cecelia's pet dog Czar removed the whole cooked steak from the dinner table and Priscilla had to fight him to get it back! 🤣

Priscilla Jane was unable to hate. As painful as her life had been, she simply was unable to hold a grudge. Human nature can be to withdraw, retreat, not communicate, feel mad. Priscilla bounced back; she forgave everyone everything. And she went on and forward with her true, loving, happy self. Guileless to her core. ✨ She once said, "What type of Christian am I if I stay mad and do not forgive?" 

Malcolm her youngest child and son says, "She has a wonderful laugh, and a beautiful smile. She has her own unique style. Her integrity surpasses all eternity. She is nonjudgmental. . . unless it's food! She is my number one and my forever MAMA 🐻 BEAR."

Mama, Priscilla Jane, you are the BEST Mom in the universe! Thank you for being our Mother and doing the best you were able to. Your true self is a part of Heaven, and you gave that to us and all who crossed your path. You mattered to all of us, and you IMPACTED & CHANGED the world by being here with your loving presence. We miss you deeply, yet - we will not deny you happiness now with Peter and all your family & friends ~ 🌈

Priscilla Jane, you are Sweet Loving Energy! 🥰 We will meet again in Heaven!

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