Josefa Barrazona, 106, Pioneer Of Philippine Methodist Church

Josefa Diaz Barrazona - pioneer of the Philippine Methodist Church in the Pacific Northwest - went by many names.

This was because the plucky immigrant, who died Monday (Oct. 31) at 106, was many things to many people, said daughter Ruth Vega of Seattle.

To her children, and to students in the dormitories she established in her native land in World War II, the little woman with the big outlook was Nanay (Tagalog for "mother"), relatives recalled.

To others, they said, she was Lola (grandma), Ate (older sister), Nana Epang (aunt) and Grandma.

"She was a Bible believer and lived the Word," Vega said.

"When I was growing up, we had people around us who were so poor they couldn't afford a mortuary. So she would bring food to the house, and clean and prepare the body.

"I would peek through the curtains. That's why to this day I have no fear of dead people. It was something I grew up with."

Mrs. Barrazona also took food to neighbors in the Philippines during the Japanese occupation of that nation in World War II. She had seen shortages coming and stocked up on canned goods and rice.

Born and educated in the Philippines, Mrs. Barrazona began teaching at 15. She was married, then widowed. In 1921 she came to the United States to attend Northwest Training School, a Bible college in Seattle. (The college now is closed.)

With her husband, evangelist Braulio Diaz, she taught English to minority workers for First Church of the Nazarene in Seattle.

In 1928 she returned home and established dormitories for the Methodist Mission. In 1938, she became the first woman government official elected in her province, Nueva Ecija.

After the liberation of the Philippines in 1945, she returned to Seattle, divorced her husband, got work as a housekeeper for the YMCA, and remarried.

In 1976 she helped found Fil-Am Christian Fellowship.

"She met a lot of transients, mostly Filipino, and became a mother to them," Vega said. "She would invite them to our home and take them to church. She was a people person. She had to be surrounded by a lot of people."

Mrs. Barrazona was known for her longevity and mobility.

She was always on the go. Even sitting, she'd be moving her legs. And she practiced good nutrition.

"She could heal herself," Vegas said. "She had chest pains one day and just opened a window, inhaled cold air and got better. She knew how to listen to her body.

"She believed in natural medicine. Her sister was a healer."

Mrs. Barrazona also had a positive attitude. If a child was sick, she'd tell the child about a picnic in a day or two. She focused not on present hardship but on when it was over.

"I have passed through hardships, happiness, sorrow and everything in the life of man," Mrs. Barrazona said in her 100th year. "I thank God that he has given me this life and that I am still living this life."

Other survivors include daughter Theresa Mationg of San Jose, Calif., son Marvin Paez of Porterville, Calif., 10 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

A service is set for 12:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at First Church of the Nazarene, 4401 Second Ave. N.E., Seattle, 98105. Choirs will sing, and a Filipino luncheon will follow the service.

Remembrances may be sent to Fil-Am Christian Fellowship at the church.