Macelinda C. Puaza's Obituary
Macelinda C. Puaza, born in 1951, in the Philippines, passed away peacefully on the morning of June 4, 2026. Family and friends simply knew her as “Linda.” She was a beautiful woman of remarkable strength, known for her unwavering spirit, feisty personality, and a heart full of love. She carried herself with courage and grace, always standing firmly in what she believed in and was fiercely protective of her daughter, Madelyn, who she simply called “Lin” or “Baby.”
During her lifetime, Linda prevailed over her hardships and challenges. She was a resilient and determined woman – a true warrior queen.
Above all, she was a devoted, loving, and forgiving Mama. Her “Baby” was the center of her existence; she poured her love and dedication in infinite ways to her one-and-only daughter, her best friend. From the very first time Linda looked upon her newborn Baby’s face, she showered her with affection, love, infinite devotion, care, patience, courageous spirit, and her protectiveness.
Linda found joy in life’s simple pleasures. With her Baby, she enjoyed vacations back to her home country and had playful times in Reno, Las Vegas, and Lincoln, savoring each fancy moment, including limousine rides to the casinos or to the buffets. She made sure her dear “Lin” was well-fed with delicious and comforting Filipino cuisine, cooking her mama-made fancy pancit, which was reserved for special occasions between mother and daughter. With her Baby being totally useless in their kitchen, she would cook sumptuous roast turkeys with all the fixings to be shared during major holidays, not just on Thanksgiving. Mama tried (she really did try!) to teach her Baby how to cook simple popular Filipino dishes, but no success there. Madelyn was a hopeless student. No worries, as Mama continued to spoil her daughter for as long as possible. Even when Mama once injured her right foot, she hobbled with a crutch into the kitchen to help after “Baby” yelled from the kitchen: “Mama! Mama! How much shrimp do I add to this pot?” Anything for her “Baby.”
Blame it on her loving daughter, but she became a long-time enthusiastic fan of professional wrestling, whether watching matches in person (in the front row at the Arena, no less!) or at the comfort of her home (screaming at the TV, to no one’s surprise!) Her favorite wrestlers being John Cena and CM Punk, whose autographed picture she has framed on her wall. She loved listening to The Beatles (her favorite “Yesterday”), John Lennon’s “Imagine”, the Bee Gees, and Michael Jackson, whose music brought her sheer joy and nostalgia of days gone by. She was also obsessed with listening to her favorite Filipino (Visayan) singer, Victor Wood. Her favorite actors were American actor Christopher Reeve, and Filipino actors Nora Aunor and Fernando Poe, Jr. Her favorite classic Disney movies were the Lion King, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White. She shared with Lin their fondness for the iconic song “Let It Go” from Frozen. Knowing that her daughter’s favorite childhood book was Charlotte’s Web, she started watching and fell in love with the 1973 animated movie of the same name. Her number one sitcom was Three’s Company and enthusiastically watched the Golden Girls, SpongeBob SquarePants, as well as the classic British sitcom As Time Goes By, often sharing boisterous laughs in front of the TV with Lin by her side.
Cats were considered the extended family of Mama and daughter. They had a genuine affection for felines of all sizes and breeds. During her visit to a local animal shelter, Mama adopted two male tuxedo cats whom Mama named Ming-Ming and Mong-Mong. These two handsome cats brought her endless comfort, companionship, joy and chaotic silliness. One example of said chaotic silliness involved 10-pound Mong-Mong falling on Mama’s head one night from a bookshelf while she was sleeping (boy, was that a sight to behold! – of course she forgave him afterwards.) She will now reunite with her two four-legged children in Heaven. She also had a special affection for her favorite arachnid – the scorpion (after all, her Zodiac sign was Scorpio), which she happily shared that affection with her Baby. Her favorite red roses and Mountain Mike’s KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce bone-in chicken wings were constant special gifts from her Baby, and as an extraordinary treat for herself, Mama would spray on her favorite perfume, Ciara by Revlon.
Linda will be remembered for her strength, her fierce Scorpion-like trait, and endless love and devotion for her Baby, as well as maintaining close ties with her relatives overseas. Enduring her years of chronic illness, Linda remained strong-willed and courageous until she felt that she was ready to go home to be embraced by our Lord.
Mama’s fierce yet gentle spirit and their loving mother and daughter togetherness will remain forever with her Baby’s entire being – filled with loving memories and the knowledge that Mama is still there to protect her. In the latter years, Baby became the mama to her Mama. A full circle in their love and care for each other and about each other.
On the morning of June 4th, keeping vigil by her Mama’s bedside, kissing, caressing, and memorizing her face one last time, Lin whispered her parting words to her dear Mama:
“Don’t Worry About Me. I Will Be Ok And So Will You, My Lovely Mama. Thank You For Being My Mama. I Love You, Mama, Forever And Forever…”
You'll never see me cry / Here I stand and here I stay
--Idina Menzel, “Let It Go” from Disney’s Frozen (2013)
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