Felisa Chan, 97, of River Vale, NJ, passed away on Saturday,March 8, 2025 surrounded by her loving family. Born on June 24, 1927 in La Paz, Leyte Province, Philippines. Beloved and devoted wife of the late Benito Chan Sr. Cherished mother of Corazon and husband Raphael Sr., Benito Jr. and wife Gladys, Alvin and wife Fe, Allan and wife Lulut, Allen and wife Ada, Alex and wife Miriam, Elizabeth and husband Scott, Albert and wife BeeHui, Grace, and Margaret. Proud grandmother of Raphael Jr., Lynnanne, Joanne and husband Ramil, Nitoy and wife Arlene, Mark, Mary, Ciara, Michael Allan and wife Darlene, Cheryl and husband Tony, Lesley and husband Silvio, Allan Jr., Brian, Jamie, Tracy, Kim and husband Fabiano, Warren, Howie, Michael David and wife Samantha, Lawrenceand wife Daisy, Rachel and husband Chandler, Elaine, and Alessandra. Adored great grandmother of Trisha, Hannah, Matthew and wife Alyza, Mia Lynn, Riley Anne, Kelsey, Gabriel, Mia Anne, Lorenzo and Mackenzie. Felisa is also survived by her dear sisters Paulita Chang and husband Gordon, Lilia Tieng and Carmen Cua, and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and relatives.
Felisa’s love for adventure took her to many places around the world. She travelled all over Europe, Australia and Asia. She especially loved Spain and Israel. She was very active in the Catholic Church and the Catholic Women’s League. She petitioned the late Monsignor Velasco and campaigned to Monsignor Velasco to start the one and only Chinese Catholic School named Sacred Heart School in Tacloban City Philippines. This helped convert a lot of the Chinese community to the Catholic faith thru their children. She also loved gardening and especially loved her orchids and rose garden. She also loved to cook and bake where she won first prize at a prestigious baking contest. This eventually led to her starting a successful catering business. When she was in grade school, she was not allowed to finish school because she was a girl. Her tenacity and drive made this dream a reality after having 10 children. She went back to school and graduated with a college degree cum laude. She truly was a great role model for all. This is just one of many reasons why we are all so very proud to call her Mom.
Visiting hours are Tuesday, March 11, 2025 from 5 PM to 8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 199 Walnut St., Northvale, NJ. Entombment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus NJ.
Felisa, our D-E was very supportive of her siblings & she welcomed us, her nieces & nephews to her beautiful home. She was like a 2nd mother to us & we will always remember her with love & gratitude.