Luzviminda Tabelisma Obituary

Luzviminda “Lucy” Palileo Tabelisma, passed away on March 21, 2023, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at the age of 87. Born on February 22, 1936, in Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines, Lucy was the daughter of Maria Tuazon Palileo and Severino Palileo.

Lucy was a graduate of The Philippine Women’s University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition in 1960. She worked as a dietitian until she married Rev. Dr. Emmanuel A. Tabelisma on December 20, 1972. They met and fell in love after he became the pastor at her church. In 1977, she followed Emmanuel from the Philippines to the U.S. while he attended Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey. Their only daughter Emmylou was born in 1978.

The Tabelismas settled in Iowa in 1979, where Emmanuel served as a pastor in the Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church for over 35 years. Lucy supported her husband and used her own gifts in church ministry as well. She especially enjoyed music and singing in the choir.

Lucy loved children and was overjoyed the day she learned she would be a “Lola” (grandmother). She and Emmanuel lavished attention, food, and gifts on their “mga apo” (granddaughters) Anyssa and Aidyn. Lucy was actively involved in their lives, attending concerts, sporting events, and other special activities until the time when Alzheimer’s disease prevented her from doing so. Until the very end, she especially loved to hear their voices.
Lucy was a very generous, loving, and faithful person. She and Emmanuel had a long and happy marriage. She missed him terribly after his death from cancer in 2017. She missed his smile and the joyful life they shared together, and looked forward to the day when they would be reunited.

After Emmanuel’s death, Lucy moved to Cedar Rapids to live with her daughter’s family. She did her best to support and remain connected to her extended family in Iowa, the Philippines, and other parts of the world. She had many dear church friends throughout Iowa who loved her and remember her fondly.

She is survived by her daughter, Emmylou Ball, son-in-law, Courtney Ball, and granddaughters, Anyssa Ball and Aidyn Ball.

She will be greatly missed, but her earthly struggles are now over, and she abides in God’s love. Those she leaves behind will remember her life with deep gratitude, blessed to have known her.

A private visitation will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, March 24th, at Iles Norwalk Chapel, located at 1020 Main Street, Norwalk, Iowa. A celebration of Lucy’s life will take place on June 10th at 11:00 am at the Norwalk United Methodist Church, followed by lunch.

Memorial gifts can be donated to Matthew 25 (hub25.org/donate25)

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