Eleanor Santos Gaspar, also known as Leny, was born on August 29, 1957 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines to Bernardo Adarme Santos and Cirila Purisima Santos. Being the eldest of 8 children, she helped raise her younger siblings, Helen, Marlou, Maryanne, Russell, Reggie, Alma and Benjie. She attended the Divine Word College of Laoag where she majored in Accounting and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
On April 10, 1983, she married Johnny Barayuga Gaspar at St. Nicolas Roman Catholic Church in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. Two years later on July 29, 1985, they welcomed their first child, Joel Jeffrey Santos Gaspar. Johnny, who immigrated to Hawaii back in 1981, petitioned Leny and Joel to join him and were reunited in 1987 on the beautiful island of Oahu. On July 12, 1988, their family was finally complete with the birth of their daughter, Janice Santos Gaspar.
Leny worked as a housekeeper at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel in Waikiki for over 20 years. She was no stranger to hard work, and even after she left the hotel in 2008, she still worked hard to take care of her family. She was well known for her cooking—nobody cooked like Leny. Her love was shown through the food she prepared and it is something her family will always miss.
Early in the morning on Monday, January 27, 2014, Leny suffered a stroke. Her puppy Gigi, who would sleep by her side every night, alerted Joel that morning. People say that "dogs are a man's best friend", but for that morning, Gigi was more—she was a hero. After a few nights of hopeful prayers, Leny passed away peacefully while surrounded by family and loved ones at Pali Momi Hospital on Thursday, January 30, 2014.
Life is fragile and we never know what will happen. All we can do is live a life of purpose and to love the ones we’re with. And in the end, all of our pain and hard work will be worth it, and peace will be rewarded, as it is what Leny is finally enjoying. Her love and wisdom is what guided her family through life, and it is what will help us all heal. She will be deeply missed forever and life will never be the same without her, but as a famous author once said, "Death ends a life, not a relationship."
coming soon
On April 10, 1983, she married Johnny Barayuga Gaspar at St. Nicolas Roman Catholic Church in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. Two years later on July 29, 1985, they welcomed their first child, Joel Jeffrey Santos Gaspar. Johnny, who immigrated to Hawaii back in 1981, petitioned Leny and Joel to join him and were reunited in 1987 on the beautiful island of Oahu. On July 12, 1988, their family was finally complete with the birth of their daughter, Janice Santos Gaspar.
Leny worked as a housekeeper at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel in Waikiki for over 20 years. She was no stranger to hard work, and even after she left the hotel in 2008, she still worked hard to take care of her family. She was well known for her cooking—nobody cooked like Leny. Her love was shown through the food she prepared and it is something her family will always miss.
Early in the morning on Monday, January 27, 2014, Leny suffered a stroke. Her puppy Gigi, who would sleep by her side every night, alerted Joel that morning. People say that "dogs are a man's best friend", but for that morning, Gigi was more—she was a hero. After a few nights of hopeful prayers, Leny passed away peacefully while surrounded by family and loved ones at Pali Momi Hospital on Thursday, January 30, 2014.
Life is fragile and we never know what will happen. All we can do is live a life of purpose and to love the ones we’re with. And in the end, all of our pain and hard work will be worth it, and peace will be rewarded, as it is what Leny is finally enjoying. Her love and wisdom is what guided her family through life, and it is what will help us all heal. She will be deeply missed forever and life will never be the same without her, but as a famous author once said, "Death ends a life, not a relationship."
"Death ends a life, not a relationship."
- Mitch Albom
- Mitch Albom
