Belen M. Saturay

It is with heartbreaking sadness that we share with you the passing of our mom, Belen M. Saturay. She passed peacefully on February 9, 2025, surrounded by family and close friends and is now reunited with her beloved husband, our dad, Giovanni. She was born Secundina Belen Maranan on January 15, 1942 in Bauan, Philippines while her family sought refuge from the Japanese occupation during WWII.  

She spent her childhood in Batangas City, raised by her Tatay, Jose Reyes Maranan and Nanay, Concha Magadia Maranan. She was the middle of five children, growing up with four brothers, Nilo, Tony, Vic, and Clemente, so she was well protected. She attended elementary and high school in Bantangas and was an active student, graduating with distinction and was the top in her class. She enjoyed participating in school activities, riding on floats during the town fiestas and special occasions, ultimately being selected and crowned First Princess in Batangas City during the town fiesta in January 1957. Mom went on to college in Manila where she excelled and graduated with a B.S. in chemical engineering. 

In 1961 she met the love of her life, Giovanni, whom she married on December 8, 1963. They quickly started a family and had five children: Enrico, Rowena, Alan, Noel, and Cristina. 

In 1973, Mom moved the family to the United States. She was such a smart lady, but apparently not as smart as our dad. When they moved us, Dad went ahead to “scope things out and find a place to live.” Mom was left with having to travel on a plane with five young kids for 16 hours. But she did it with grace and her big, beautiful smile. Our family settled in Bellingham in 1974 where Mom raised us through all the great and tough times, always loving us to the fullest. Mom was always present for the family and even with five kids and a full-time job at Georgia Pacific as a chemist, she always cooked a full Filipino dinner every day.

Cooking in the kitchen was her happy place because she knew her meals brought everyone together and she loved the compliments about her amazing cooking. After she and Dad put all five of us through college, all University of Washington graduates, she had to pick up a new hobby; she started playing golf so she could spend more time with Dad during their retirement. She was an ok golfer, but it was the time she spent with him that mattered most. She also became more involved with the Church of Assumption where she and dad were parishioners for over 50 years and where she met many of her close friends whom she considers sisters. Her involvement in the Filipino community within the church and within the greater Whatcom County was a testament to her love for the people, the culture, and expressive beauty of traditional Filipino dances. 

Family was most important to her and she was blessed with a large extended family that she treated as one. The door was always open to anyone, friends and especially family, whether it was for a quick meal, a BBQ, doing laundry, or even to stay and live with them. She was blessed with five apos (grandkids), whom she cherishes dearly. She will always be their angel and guiding light, and that has now doubled in intensity. We know she is at peace and where she belongs, with Dad and seated next to our God and Lord Jesus. 

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Jose & Concha Maranan, brother Nilo, and her loving husband, our dad, Vanni. She is survived by her children Enrico, Rowena, Alan (Nancy), Noel (Kate), and Tina (Aaron), and her apos Victoria, Keona, Angelo, Luke, and Sidra. Also included are her siblings and their spouses and many, many nieces and nephews in the States and afar in the Philippines. 

A special thank you to everyone who cared and prayed for our mom as her heart was broken and her health weakened. Ultimately her love for our dad was stronger, reuniting them as one with eternal life. She is now smiling down on all of us and blessing us with her love. We miss her dearly, but we will carry her legacy of faith, family, and love. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 28 at 10:30am at Church of the Assumption, 2116 Cornwall Ave. Bellingham, followed by a reception at the Bellingham Yacht Club, 2625 S. Harbor Loop Dr. Bellingham.