GRANTOZA, Agueda 'Inay' Llarena - On Saturday, January 9, 2021, Agueda Llarena Grantoza, the beloved wife of Ben, the loving mother of seven daughters and the “Inay” to so many grand- and great grandchildren, passed away at age 88.
Inay was born on February 5, 1932 in Rizal, Laguna, Philippines to Lucilo Llarena and Corazon Opulencia. Due to the unfortunate death of both her parents before the age of 9, Inay was brought up by her step mother Nanay Pedyang.
Inay received a teaching degree from San Pablo College (SPC), passed the government exam and went on to practice as an elementary teacher at the Antipolo Elementary School for about thirty years. On September 13, 1951, she married the love of her life; Bienvenido “Ben” Grantoza and together they had seven beautiful daughters, Elna, Elrose, Elda, Elgie, Eledeza, Elglenda, and Eljoysa.
On July 1, 1987, Inay left the Philippines and travelled for the first time to Canada where on February 16, 1994 she received her commemoration of Canadian Citizenship. With her love of travel, Inay also enjoyed travelling to visit family in the United States of America and on January 20, 2005 she became an American citizen giving her dual citizenship; leading towards her continuous enjoyment of travelling and visiting family between Canada, the United States and her native home; the Philippines.
Inay was notorious for generously helping people, especially her close family. She was extremely motherly, yet so youthful and sassy. Anytime she went back to the Philippines, Inay enjoyed potlucks and spending time with her fellow teachers. In Canada and the U.S, she enjoyed watching television especially WWF wrestling and figure skating and just loved to “pasyal”.
Inay was also committed to always looking and feeling her best, by taking the time to do her daily stretches, makeup and hair. One of Inay's passions was gardening, both flowers and plants. Inay was also a devoted Christian and often shared as an anecdote to her grandchildren “always ubos your kanin on the plate, magagalit ang dios sa iyo."
She was known for her kind and compassionate spirit and immeasurable love for the Grantoza family.
Inay was preceded in death by her parents Lucilo and Corazon, her two brothers Kuya Kikoy and Kuya Rufo and her beloved husband Ben. She is personified by her seven beautiful daughters, Elna, Elrose, Elda, Elgie, Eledesa, Elglenda and Eljoysa, her twenty-one grandchildren and twenty-four great grandchildren.
She will always be remembered for her most famous life lesson; Wag mag-aaway at mag mamahalan. Let each of us embody Inay by coming together to practice what Inay preached every day and love each other unconditionally.
She will live on forever through each one of her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. May we all continue her legacy. Wherever we are in the world, for Inay; let us continue to be successful, to be happy, and to love abundantly.
Our beloved Inay, salamat sa mga ginawa nyo sa amin. Mahal na mahal po namin kayo.
Arrangements entrusted with Ogden funeral home, Scarborough.
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