Carmelita T. Panlilio's Obituary
Carmelita Tunay Panlilio passed away on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Belleview, FL after a steady decline due to dementia and heart disease. She eventually succumbed to complications from COVID. She was born September 2, 1942 in Manila, Philippines, to Flor de liz (Dinsay) and Pablo Tunay. After growing up in the Philippines, she began a career teaching physics and chemistry at St Theresa’s College . She married her first husband, Curtis Panlilio in San Juan, Rizal, Philippines, in 1969, and together they immigrated to the United States and settled in Holyoke, MA. Curtis passed in January 1972. Carmelita restarted her career in banking at various BayBank locations in western Massachusetts. Her family grew when she married Eduardo Panlilio in 1975.
She managed a banking career and ran the family with the same discipline and rigor. She had a loud, cackling laugh that was infectious and sometimes embarassingly poorly timed, but nevertheless, she took things in stride. She shielded all her children from adversities she faced as an immigrant, a working mother, and the combination of both during the 1980s and 90s. She always made sure everyone's plates and stomachs were full and satisfied. Carmelita was known for having an overabundance of food at home or dishes she brought to friends and work functions. If you ever had her garlic fried rice, her pancit bihon, canton, lechon, lumpia, leche flan, or her buttery lemon pound cake, please know, she thought you were special. If she offered you a drink after she gave you polvoron, you were her entertainment but still special. She and Eduardo retired to St. Petersburg, FL, in 1998, where they enjoyed a wonderful community.
Over her last few years, she made memories (and a little mayhem) with her sister, Doris (Joseph Rotchford), and nieces, April (James Erwin), Nina (Roger Morgan), who cared for and doted on her with field trips and pedicures. We are eternally grateful for all they have done and all that they still do in her memory.
In addition to her parents, Curtis, and Eduardo, who predeceased her in 2001, and her brother Pablo Jr. in 2024, she also leaves behind: sister, Doris (Joseph Rotchford); sister in law, Teresa Tunay of Manila; sons, Raymond (Sara) of Southwick, MA; Paul (Laura) of Tampa; Curtis (Anita) of West Hatfield, MA; and daughter, Patricia Shirk of Colchester, VT; nephews and nieces, Paolo (Loida), Leslie (Sue), Abraham (Blenda), April (James), and Nina (Roger). She has several grandchildren: Kiana and Mia Panlilio; Eric Panlilio; Zachary, Sofia, and Aurora Panlilio; and Harrison and Eli Shirk, along with grandkids through the extended family whom she loved like her own.
What’s your fondest memory of Carmelita?
What’s a lesson you learned from Carmelita?
Share a story where Carmelita's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Carmelita you’ll never forget.
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