Nicolasa "Lasing" Rivera Tolentino's Obituary
Nicolasa “Lasing” Rivera Tolentino was born on September 10, 1934, in Laoag City, Philippines, to Ananias and Apolinaria Labayog Rivera. She was the second of four children in the Rivera family. A proud graduate of Ilocos Norte High School, Nicolasa had a love for music and enjoyed playing the harp. She later pursued work as a seamstress, a skill that would become both a profession and a passion.
Nicolasa met the love of her life, Silvestre Foronda Tolentino, through her cousin Dionicio Labayog, during Silvestre’s visit to the Philippines. The two married on October 10, 1960, and shared a special bond—including the same birthday, though born in different years. Nicolasa immigrated to Hawaii on February 4, 1961, where she and Silvestre built a life together and raised four children: Marilyn, Harry, Nelson, and Nancy.
She devoted her early years in Hawaii to being a homemaker, lovingly caring for her children. Once they started school, Nicolasa entered the workforce. She began as a laundry worker, later becoming a seamstress at Tohki Hawaii, where she worked alongside her brother, Virginio Rivera. She eventually joined Surf Line Hawaii, where her mastery of various sewing machines and meticulous attention to detail made her a highly respected employee. She retired on September 14, 2007, after 28 years of dedicated service.
Nicolasa brought joy and warmth into her workplace. She loved attending company functions and was an enthusiastic member of a line dancing group with her coworkers. Together, they practiced routines during breaks, sewed their own matching outfits, and performed at parties. Nicolasa also sold jewelry as a side business and was admired for her gardening talents—especially her beloved Areca palms, which she tended with great care.
A gifted cook, she was affectionately known as the "Pancit Queen." She could make any dish by taste alone, and while she tried to teach family her recipes, none could quite replicate them the way she did. Her culinary skills brought people together, and the Tolentino home in Kalihi became the go-to gathering place for extended family. Silvestre even modified the house to provide a welcoming space for relatives newly arrived from the Philippines, helping them get on their feet.
In October 1999, Nicolasa and Silvestre celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary with a vow renewal ceremony at the Banyans at Pearl Harbor—a joyful occasion shared with family and friends.
For her 90th birthday, her family surprised her with a celebration at her favorite Chinese restaurant. Even in her later years, Nicolasa remained active—doing chores, caring for her plants, going shopping, and enjoying outings, or as she called it, “agpasyar.” Her sharp memory, strong will, and joyful spirit never waned. As her doctor shared, she was a true fighter to the very end.
Nicolasa passed peacefully at Kuakini Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She is now reunited with her beloved husband, Silvestre. May they both rest in eternal peace.
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