Obituary of Celia T. Albea

Celia Albea Celia Taca was the youngest in a family of eight children. She was born in Santa Cruz, Manila, in the year when the Insular Gov’t of the Philippine Islands as a territorial government of the United States of America was dissolved. In about 4 years later, World War ll would soon erupt and change the lives of many. She was known for her culinary expertise but because she was the youngest, her mother allowed her plenty of slack as a child when it came to household chores like cooking, mending and cleaning. So much so that many years later when she became a house wife, she burned a number of pots and scorched holes on her husband’s shirts. She studied at the University of Santo Tomas and completed a bachelor’s degree in Commerce. She was the darling in her family, the most protected. Sometime in the 1950’s, her oldest and strictest brother was away on a trip. Celia while still in her teens, was permitted to tag along her older siblings to a house party. It was there where she met her future husband, Pete Albea who notoriously gate crashed their party. It was love at first sight for the two. Pete began to send her love letters, each one screened and carefully examined by her older sister Deny, for any inappropriate expression of love. After 5 years of courtship, Celia and Pete were finally permitted to go on a date, a mistake I am sure, her parents regretted as the two love birds eloped soon after. A wedding was set and soon after, 7 loving children came to fruition. Celia went to study Culinary Courses at St Paul Culinary School and developed a knack for baking. But her expertise that made her famous for among family members and friends was her Pork Barbecue. This paved the way for the couple to franchise a Lapid’s Meat Store. In 1985 during a time when the People’s Power Revolution was just beginning to brew in Manila, they migrated to the United States of America to seek fortune overseas. She worked as a crew and later got promoted to management in companies such as 7-Eleven, Morrowe’s Chocolatier in Aventura, Cookie Company, Wendy’s and Walgreens from which she had brought home numerous Employee of the Month awards. She spent her later years traveling with Pete and her daughters and sometimes with her grandchildren. She was a busy body, never leaving a dust bunny settle on her furnitures. She loved to collect intricately designed figurines and had a taste for fashion. She was loved by her family, her nephews , nieces, her children ,her grandchildren and her friends. In 2015, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. The following year, she lost the love of her life. It was a difficult time for Celia despite the overflowing love from her children. Dementia took over. In 2018, she was placed in Hospice Care but was lovingly cared for by her 3 daughters at home. The next two years were challengingly rough and eventually, on April 28th, 2020, Celia passed away peacefully of natural causes, surrounded by all her children. May the Lord grant her peace and reunion with Pete in heaven. Arrangements by Joseph A. Scarano Pines Memorial Chapel-9000 Pines Boulevard Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024. Our thought and prayers goes out to the family.