Benita Duclayan Rivera, March 21, 1925 — February 13, 2019

Benita Duclayan Rivera was born on March 2, 1925. She is the youngest daughter of Miguel and Isabel Duclayan. Benita Rivera was born in Barrio Cadaclan, San Ferando La Union Philippines.

She had one sister and five brothers. She is the last surviving sibling. Benita’s late brothers were Ponciano “Shano Duclayan, Gregario ” Gorio” Duclayan, Bruno “Bono” Duclayan, Leon Duclayan, and Damiano Duclayan.

Benita’s late sister was Juliana “Soling” Marquez. The family worked on a farm planting various crops of tobacco and vegetables. Benita’s oldest brother Ponciano “Apu Shanu” was living in Hawaii.

When Benita was five years old, Apu Shanu was 18 years old when he was recruited as a “Sakada” to work in the plantation sugar cane fields in Hawaii. At the age of 14 years old, through an arranged marriage, Benita wed Francisco Rivera. They were married on January 18, 1941.

Francisco and Benita had 8 children. One passed away at 1 month of age. Benita is survived by Aurelio “Maylong” Rivera, Claro “Iling” Rivera, Martin Rivera, Marcelo “Ceelo” Rivera, Margarita “Lita” Corpuz, Juana “Indai” Cabagbag, and Manuel “Manny/Meemin” Rivera.

The family grew up farming tobacco and vegetables. On August 24, 1967, Francisco unexpectedly passed away at the age of 47. Benita was left to care for her seven children.

Benita Pleading for help, a letter was written to Apu Shanu in Hawaii. Apu Shanu responded back by asking Nana Benita and her children to move to Hawaii. In 1967, she began the process for a formal petition to move to Hawaii.

On October 31, 1969, Benita Rivera, Lita (18 years old), Indai (14 years old), and Meemin (9 years old) immigrated to the Island of Oahu. Six months later, Malyong, Iling, Martin and Ceelo also immigrated to Hawaii on April 18, 1970. The entire family lived with Apu Shanu at his home in Moanalua Valley.

Benita initially worked as a pineapple trimmer for Delmonte Cannery until she retired at 60 years old. She has 22 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren with one on the way. Benita is described as a simple woman.

Her faith and family are her foundation values. Benita would spend her days watching television, preferring to watch “Wheel of Fortune, Filipino dramas, and the Food Network. Benita enjoyed eating corn flake cereal with her coffee everyday for breakfast.

She found joy in cooking dinig ding and collecting numerous pictures of grand and great-grandchildren. To send flowers to the family of Benita Duclayan Rivera please visit our Sympathy Store.

If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.