About Josie
Here's some of her storyHer Roots.
Josie Hechanova Dela Cruz was born in La Carlota, Philippines on December 30, 1936 to Antonio & Josefa Hechanova. She was the eldest daughter of 7 children - Dante, Bebot, Rogelio, Marilen, Corazon & Tiny. In 1946, at the age of 10, she was sent 759 km away to serve her aunt in Manila where she graduated from Arellano University high school in 1954. She then, moved to Iloilo City to live with her Tita Caroling Hechanova and cousins to attend the University of San Agustin to receive a Secretarial Science Certificate and was an ROTC cadet. In 1955, she was finally able to return to her siblings in La Carlota where she worked as a bank teller, courted by several suitors, and because of her beauty became Miss La Carlota.
Her Journey to America.
Josie’s next chapter was to head to America, living in Oakland, California in 1962 with the same aunt she was serving in Manila. She worked hard in her aunt’s restaurant and closed up each night. On December 20, 1963, she went to a party at the Sheraton Palace in San Francisco with her date, Cris Alcordo, and met her future husband, Phil dela Cruz. Phil proposed on February 29, 1964 and they got married on March 21, 1964. Josie had 2 children, Brenda & Gregg. She was very proud of them, but even more proud when Brenda got married to Brian Henderson and Gregg married Susan Wainwright to give her 10 grandchildren - Stefani Miranda, Connor, Kristan, Kai, Kiana, Kevin, Declan, Zoe, Cody, and Ava. Ironically, Josie worked at the Sheraton Palace for 20+ years until she retired at the age of 81, in 2018, the same place she met her future husband.
Her Passions.
Josie’s number one passion was treating her grandchildren. She had an endless love for them and treated them to trips to Hawaii, Disneyland, and Reno. She cooked loving meals for them and treated them to overnights at her home. She loved taking trips to gamble at Indian casinos and loved Reno and Las Vegas. She loved her cousins and nieces and nephews and helped them in whatever way she could - whether it be hosting a holiday party or sending money to help someone in need. She retired so late in life because she loved the hotel business and her work friends were her second family where she could laugh and giggle and bring stories home to share.
Memories
Some of the Awesome Memories Luckily Captured on Media.The early days
Youth
The Fifties
The Sixties
The Seventies
The Eighties
The Nineties
2K
The Sheraton Palace
It was fun working with her, my partner in crime! She will always be a part of history at the Palace!
She is truly missed. She always made sure I ate. If the menu wasn't good she would make sure the cook made me a sandwich.
Also I remember I had to attend my nieces wedding and I did not want to wear a suit cause I wear one for work. She suggested I wear a Barong. She said don't buy one I will let you borrow one
Tributes and Video Eulogies
Share a picture, memory, or video eulogy
Dear Family & Friends
As most of you know, on June 21st, we lost a wife, mother, grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt, and dear friend. She is survived by her husband, Phil, her children & their spouses, Gregg & Susan, and Brenda & Brian, her grandchildren - Stefani Miranda, Connor, Kristan, Kai, Kiana, Kevin, Declan, Zoe, Cody & Ava, and her brother & sister-in-law, and sisters Dante & Carmela, Corazon, & Tiny.
Due to this pandemic, people have to find creative ways of gathering, grieving, and showing love and compassion. Since we have family across the globe, we are requesting a time to include everyone as much as possible and plan to live stream the funeral service. The committal has restrictions with times, but we still plan to live stream and will have the recording available on the website. Times to be communicated as soon as they’re confirmed.
To show your love, thoughts, or appreciation, we are giving people the opportunity to submit a short video or pictures to share. The video will be available on this website and also may be edited to use partially for the memorial service depending on length. If you decide to submit a video, please also submit a portrait picture of yourself so that we can use it as a tile on the website. If you decide to submit pictures, we can include them in a gallery on the website.
To submit a video or picture, please do the following (instruction for iphone):
- Make sure to take a selfie to upload with your video or picture.
- From your phone or computer, go to this link
- Hit the plus sign to access your photos or photo library.
- Select desired photos, videos and make sure to include your selfie.
- Select Done.
- Scroll down to Add your name
- Scroll down more to Add your email address
- Hit the Upload button
Thank you, all, for being a loving part of Josie’s life. We will remember her in our hearts forever.
Brenda & Gregg