Paula Nephthys S. Taton

On October 3, 2013, our beloved Inang, Mommy, Lola, sister and aunt and Polintan family matriarch, Nephthys, lost her battle to cancer. As the backbone of her family, she lived a vibrant, resilient, active and long life. Born on July 7, 1922 in Obando, Bulacan, Philippines, Nephthys was the third daughter born to Ricardo Santos and Paula Guevarra Santos. Fondly called "Sanse" (means third older sister) by her younger sisters, "Tia Munti" (means Aunt "Petite") by many nieces and nephews, or "Mez" (short for mestiza) by her friends, she grew up in a large extended family as her parents always took in and supported many relatives from the city or the province. Her father, a Philippine military officer and an avowed nationalist, was killed early during World War II, and her mother almost single-handedly raised her seven daughters. All named Paula after their mother, each daughter grew up to be strong-willed, professional women - trail blazers in their own respective fields. Nephthys graduated from Torres High School and National Teachers College with a bachelor's degree in Library Science. She worked as a librarian for Arellano (Public) High School. She married Arturo ...[more]

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intan in 1943 and they had five children, Arturo Wilfrido (Rolly), Ricardo Francisco (Ricky), Luis Manuel (Chito), Paula Marilynn (Lynn) and Maria Lourdes (Odette). Through successes and challenges in her marriage, Nephthys used her tenacity, resourcefulness and hard work to keep her family together. Unfortunately after going through a divorce and In search of a new beginning, Paula immigrated to the United States in 1974. She first moved in with her younger sister, Paula Hypathia, in Chicago, but Nephthys could not take the harsh mid-West winter. So she packed up and moved to Seattle with her youngest sister, Paula Isabel. With luck and determination, Nephthys found employment in her professional field with the King County Library System, where she worked until she retired in 1987. As a newly arrived immigrant, Nephthys rebuilt her life in the United States armed only with dogged determination and a strong work ethic. With her modest income, she saved as much as she could and was able to purchase her first home in Seattle - a two-bedroom rambler on Beacon Hill. She was proud of this home - she cleaned it spotless inside and out, and enjoyed maintaining her beautiful front and back yards with rose bushes. Nephthys met Joe Taton a couple of years after she arrived in Seattle. After 9 years of courtship, she married Joe on April 27, 1985. In their retirement years, they traveled extensively, enjoyed dinners and dances, and volunteered with various community organizations. After Nephthys suffered her first stroke in 1998 and again in 2000, Joe took great and loving care of Nephthys. Just like her parents, Nephthys was always generous with family and friends. She supported and worked with the UP Alumni Association and the Bataan Corregidor Survivors Association. Passionate about her community work as well as her political convictions, she worked on Philippine human rights and political issues, and she proudly supported her choices of candidates during US national or local elections. She loved to cook and bake - and thankfully some of her grandchildren are following in her footsteps. Friends and family loved her "food for the gods", fruitcakes, coconut macaroons, sans rival, leche flan, "floating island," brownie cupcakes and chiffon cakes, as well as Philippine dishes, such as, apritada, lengua and morcon. She was a fashionista in her day - always dressed smartly regardless if she's wearing a Philippine traditional or any modern outfits - of course, with matching shoes and purses. In addition to her five children, she was proud of her grandchildren, Don (& Tina), Pia (& Dennis), Ina (& Aaron), Jaja (& Ge), JR (& Jovel), Kio (& Leanna), Lari (& Jen), Karl, Mia, Fara (& Tom), Pio, Laya (& Arnel), Mutya, Silahis and Jade and her great grandchildren (Mika, Christianne, Carolynne, Lea, Mimi, Misa, Anika, Bjorn, Gianne, Juan, Tomeia, Tomas and Mateo). She is survived by her husband, Joe, and her children, Rolly, Ricky & Pacita, Chito & Marge, Lynn & Greg, Odette & David, her 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, and Joe's children, Joe Jr. (& Fely), Dely (& Jack), Eddie (& Evelyn), Albert, Jeffrey (& Maui) and Desirae. She was preceded in death by sisters, Paula Carolina and Paula Hypathia, brothers-in-law (Armando Malay, Telesforo Umali, Vince Ereneta, Dante Sta. Ana, Jorge Davide and Oscar Frial) former husband, Arturo, and granddaughter, Silahis Taverna. Inang/Mom will be missed. Life without her will never be the same. She left a legacy of love, generosity, determination and resilience among her family members. She remains in our hearts forever.