Lourdes A. Javier, resident of Natick, died peacefully on Friday, September 16, 2016 at the Miriam Boyd Parlin Hospice Residence in Wayland, MA.
For 40 years she was the beloved wife of the late Vincent S. Javier, who died in 1994.
She was born in Candon, Ilocos Sur, Philippines on June 16, 1928, daughter of Eleuteria Centeno and Pedro Avena.
Lourdes arrived in the US in 1955 to join her husband, a chemist at the US Army Natick Labs, and settled permanently in Natick where she lived for 62 years.
Lourdes was a graduate of University of the Philippines, and obtained her
Master’s degree in Education at Framingham State College in 1965. At age 35 she began her English teaching career at Natick High School, and remained there for 26 years until her retirement in 1991. Lourdes was the editor for the Sassamon Yearbook, winner of the prestigious New England award for 2 years in a row in 1968 and 1969. One of her many passions was her writing, which included a book of poetry, Transparent Fire, and an autobiography entitled Broken Skies, a chronicle of her life as a young teenager in hiding during the World War II Japanese occupation. She was a long-time member of the Natick Writer’s Guild and contributed several works to the Vintage Voices Anthology of Prose and Poetry. In addition, she was the former President of the Filipino Association of Greater Boston and a co-founder of Iskwelahang Pilipino for Children, established in 1976.
Her life was further defined by her utmost devotion to the Catholic Church. She directed parish choirs and sang soprano at St. Linus and St. Patrick’s. She also served as Eucharistic Minister at St. Patrick’s. For 6 years, she graciously volunteered her services at Campion in Weston while giving poetry instruction to the priests, and developing life long friendships with them. She often organized Filipino gatherings at the Sons of Mary Missionary Society in Framingham.
Lourdes loved spending time with her family and grandchildren, as well as hosting large traditional gatherings at home especially during Thanksgiving. She also loved international travel, vacationing in Delray Beach, playing tennis, bowling, and watching the Patriots.
She is survived by a son, Vinnie, and daughter-in-law, Lynne, of Columbia, MD; a daughter, Karen Sayward of Windham NH; 5 grandchildren, Melissa Parrish, Adrienne Sayward and Michael Sayward, Lauren Javier and Jeffrey Javier; sisters Esther Pagiuo of the Philippines, and Paz Moreno, of Needham; brother Floresto Resurrecion of the Philippines and several cousins, nieces, and nephews, as well as many friends in the Filipino community. She was predeceased by sister Conching Avena, and brothers Domingo Resurreccion and Ben Resurreccion.
The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff of New England Hematology and Oncology Associates at Newton- Wellesley Hospital, Metro West Hospital in Natick, and the Miriam Boyd Hospice Residence for her care received over the years.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral on Wednesday September 21st at 9:00 A.M. from the John Everett and Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St Patrick’s Church at 10:00 A.M. Visiting hours are Tuesday from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Patrick’s Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick, MA 01760