PANGASINAN FIRST WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR PASSED AWAY

Written by Dan E. Nino

Los Angeles — Teodora Cendaña-Aoanan, affectionately known as Dory and popularly touted as the first highly visible woman entrepreneur in Dagupan City if not the whole province of Pangasinan, passed away on April 2, the eve of the Feast of Divine Mercy. She was 90.

She is survived by her husband of 72 years, lawyer Mariano “Naning Aoanan, a former Dagupan City councilor. After his stint as legal attache in Honolulu, Hawaii, the family moved to Los Angeles and settled in Alhambra. The Aoanan patriarch, now 95 resumed his post at the Los Angeles Consulate until his retirement.

Dory was born on Jan. 7, 1926 in Malasiqui, Pangasinan, Philippines. She spent her early years in in Baguio City, Philippines where she met her husband and got married on April 30, 1944.

They initially settled in San Manuel then moved to Dagupan City for greener pastures where their five children: Victoria, Ramon, Mariano, Jr. (deceased), Manuel “Lito” and Virgilio were born.

Dory is also survived by her grandchildren Gerald Obien, Jose Bernard Obien, Rebecca Aoanan Gonzales, Francis Obien, Rachel Aoanan, Sarah Aoanan, Isabel Aoanan and Clarisse Aoanan, her daughters-in-law and son-in law, Esther Ramos, Maria Elena Mendoza-Aoanan and Manuel Obien, her grandsons-in- law Thomas Charles Gonzales and Shawn Anderson, great-granddaughter Emma Gonzales and only surviving sister, Lilia Cendana Santos.

While in Dagupan City she established the Dory Cendaña Vocational School while at the same time operated a Beauty Salon business for more than 25 years. Her business and mentorship provided a safe, educational environment for young women interested in the workplace at a time when women’s rights were practically non-existent.

When kuya Naning was assigned as the Philippine Legal Attaché in Honolulu, Hawaii, Atchie Dory continued with her beauty salon business in Pearl City, Hawaii and again in Los Angeles, California when Kuya Naning was reassigned here.

The couple were very active in their church, St. Thomas More in Alhambra, California. Atchie Dory was especially active with the parish’s Legion of Mary. They were also active members in the Greater Dagupan Association of Los Angeles Area as well as the Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA

Shown below are schedule of important events in the next few days and weeks:

• The 9th day of the Novena will be held at 2413 La Crescenta Ave., Alhambra, CA 91803 on Sunday, April 10 and tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m.
• April 11, Monday (5:30p.m. – 9p.m.) – 1st day of viewing and rosary to be held at Rose Hills Memorial Park  in Whittier, CA http://www.rosehills.com/en-us/index.page
• April 12, Tuesday (5:30p.m. – 9 p.m.) – 2nd day of viewing and rosary at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, CA
• April 13, Wednesday (TBD) – Final Funeral Service and Mass at the SkyRose Chapel, Rose Hills Memorial Park3888 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier, CA 90601

 

 

• April 30, Saturday – Naning and Dory’s 73rd Wedding Anniversary, a Mass for the eternal repose of Dory’s soul will be held at St Thomas More Parish Church, 2510 So. Fremont Ave., Alhambra, CA 91803. The urn containing her ashes will be present during the mass, Thereafter, it will be transported to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on 555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2707,

 

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• April 30, Saturday – We will have a celebration of Dory’s life. All who want to say something about fond memories of her are invited to speak. Venue will be announced shortly.