Mrs. Nancy Fe Puno's Obituary
Nancy Fe Macansantos Puno joined her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 28, 2019. She was born on December 21, 1942 in Zamboanga City, Philippines.
Loving, kind, fun, generous, supportive, Nancy was “Mommy” to us all: to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends of her children, and even the children of some friends.
Her consummate fashion sense made her brave the rain rather than use an umbrella that didn't match the color combination of her clothes.
Her quick wit and humor endeared her to young and old alike. Once, her partials (upper front tooth) fell out while teaching, and Nancy quickly picked it up, blew on it, popped it back in her mouth, smiled and said; "It hasn't been 5 seconds yet!"
Her resolve to supplement her family's income saw Nancy selling products on the side: home appliances; insurance; dried fish; bolts of cloth; beauty products; pots and pans; even tutoring foreign exchange students while taking her Master's degree.
When not playing Words with Friends, or watching Family Feud, Nancy loved to nurture her garden.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents Armando Macansantos and Peregrina Catis, by her first husband Gabino Puno, by her eldest son Christopher (and wife Lory An), as well as by her siblings Armando Jr. and Francisco.
She is survived by her children Jonathan (Perlaida), Ferdinand Giovanni (Nilda), Gabino Jr. (Mary Elaine), Dominique (Cheryl Arlette and Hannah Carla), Geraldine (Eduardo Delos Santos), and Katherine (Alexis Daquinag); by second husband Joseph Shinn, by stepchildren Joyce, Janet, and Joseph Jr.; by siblings Roselio (Maria Esperanza), and Sonia Rose (Roger Alensub); by sisters-in-law Priscilla and Alma; by 16 grandchildren; and by 13 great grandchildren.
Nancy finished two undergraduate degrees (in Accountancy and Mathematics, and in Education) at Ateneo de Zamboanga, a Master's Degree in Language Teaching at the University of the Philippines, and her PhD in Language, Literature and Culture at Xavier University. She finished all degrees with honors. Nancy was a university professor at Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology for 30 years. She has mentored and even paid for the college education of several struggling students who are now successful professionals in their fields.
After retirement, Nancy migrated to the US in 2008 in Houston, TX to be with their daughters and grandchildren. Nancy worked at JC Penney as a Jewelry Specialist from 2009 to 2014. She attended the International Victory Christian Church (IVCC) with her daughters and sons-in-law. Her faith and trust in God nourished her through life's struggles: during Gabino's illness and death in 2014, and in her battle with cancer. She always had a positive outlook and sunny disposition. In the final stages, she always had a bright smile and nod of encouragement for everyone else around her, lifting everyone's spirits in those trying times. Nancy battled bravely, joining a clinical trial to study the efficacy of a new drug against the cancer mutation she had. She was unable to finish the trial, but she contributed to the understanding of the disease.
Nancy's family is grateful to the IVCC family for their succor and strength. The family wishes to thank the following people who provided comfort and assistance during her illness: Pastor Mike and Wennie Liga, Thelma and Nate Orozco, Theodith Valle, Edith Peril, Camilla and Archie Moreno, Faida and Darwin Lecito, Joanna and Jerry Morales, Maileen and Solomon Evangelista, Karen Herrera, Christine Deocos, Nancy Wright, Gloria Hernandez, Dr. Isidro Permites, Gilbert and Judith Cagaanan, Michelle and Noel Duran, and Alma Macansantos.
Viewing will be on November 9, 2019, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, while the Memorial service will be on November 10, 2019 at 10:00 in the morning.
What’s your fondest memory of Nancy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Nancy?
Share a story where Nancy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Nancy you’ll never forget.
How did Nancy make you smile?