(November 21, 1928 – February 8, 2015)
Elizabeth Magsanide Corpus passed away peacefully at home on Sunday morning, February 8, 2015. She was born on November 21, 1928, in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, to Mamerta Duldulao and Feliciano Cariaga Magsanide. Elizabeth married Philip Miguel Tacbian Corpus on December 13, 1944, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Elizabeth grew up in the sugar plantations on the islands of Maui and Kauai, finally settling with her parents and siblings in Waipahu, Oahu, Hawaii. She was in a church not far from the shores of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, when the US fleet was attacked. During the war she helped her mother by ironing laundry for the soldiers.
Elizabeth won the Miss Liberty title when she was 14 for selling war bonds. As a teenager she sang on the Filipino radio station in Kahuku, Oahu, and became known as the Songbird of Waipahu.
After she married Philip she began her 42-year career as a waitress at Kelly’s Restaurant. She had a sharp mind, was witty, friendly, and told stories which held her audience’s attention and always brought laughter to any gathering she joined. Elizabeth loved to sew and crochet.
Elizabeth is survived by her daughters Patricia (Neil) Holland of St. George, Utah; Ipolani (Sinclair) Lott of Glendale, California; grandsons Jonathan, Christopher, Eliot and Jeremy Holland; Joshua (Siobhan) and Christian (Melanie) Cook; and Tyler Lott; granddaughter Alanna (Micah) Naylor; great grandson Timothy Holland; great granddaughters Amanda Holland; Kathleen Carlson; Malia, Mikayla, and Zoey Cook; Sofia and Jasmine Cook; Liliana and Elora Naylor. Sisters Abelina (Gary) Edelstein of St. George, Utah, and Josephine (Herman) deGala of Denver, Colorado; also many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Elizabeth is preceded in death by her son, Artemio; husband Philip; parents Feliciano and Mamerta Magsanide; brothers Juan, Pedro, Alfred, and Frank; sisters, Tomasa and Virginia.
Funeral Services
- Utah Services
- Funeral services will be on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 11:30 a.m. at the Bloomington Hills LDS Stake Center, 1130 East Brigham Road, St. George.
- A viewing will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, from 10-11 a.m. prior to services at the Stake Center.
- Hawaii Services
- Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 11:30 a.m. at Honolulu West LDS Stake Center 1723 Beckley Street (across from Farrington High) Honolulu, Hawaii.
- A viewing will be held Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 6-8 p.m. at the Nuuanu Memorial Park and Mortuary 2233 Nuuanu Ave. Honolulu, Hawaii and on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 9-11 a.m. prior to services at the Chapel.
- Interment will be on Saturday at the Kyoto Gardens of Honolulu Memorial Park, 22 Craigside Place, Honolulu, Hawaii.
- A luncheon will follow at Lanakila LDS Ward, 622 No. Judd Street, Honolulu, Hawaii.
We express our gratitude to all the doctors, nurses, and CNRs at the Dixie Regional Hospital and Coral Desert Rehabilitation facilities. Elizabeth was well cared for and she enjoyed all those who assisted with her care.
Family and friends are invited to sign her online guestbook at the Spilsbury Mortuary website. Arrangements have been made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, St. George 435-673-2454.