Leonor Maligaya

Leonor Maligaya, devout mother and grandmother, and a pious member of the Family Rosary Crusade of St. John the Evangelist Church in Clinton, Maryland, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2020. Nanay, as she is fondly called by family members and close friends, is survived by her five children, Thelma, Mariza Alignay (Isayas), Merla Castillo (Ramon), Elmer (Sonia), and Jean Uy (Ferdinand); eight grandchildren, Roxanne Smalkin (Fred), Rosemarie Cuento (Robert), Oliver Alignay (Jackie), Carlo, Cedric and Cristine Maligaya, and Sam Uy (Ross Ruder) and Kate Uy (Graham Gibson); and six great-grandchildren, Aleph, Maya and Stella Smalkin, Aiden and Avia Alignay, and Bobby Cuento. Leonor was born in Indang, Cavite, Philippines on December 18, 1926. While in college, she met Apolinario Maligaya of Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, whom she married in 1950. In 1982, they immigrated to the United States and settled in Clinton, Maryland. Having the luxury of time, she pursued her interests in cooking, gardening, reading, playing the piano, completing crossword puzzles, watching Jeopardy, and spending time with grandchildren. Leonor joined St. John's Family Rosary Crusade, a prayer and fellowship group, whose members were drawn to her sweet and kind ways such that they referred to her as “Mama Leonor” with familial affection. Leonor also held dear her family friends, Bon Van Duker and Delia Boyd, both of whom have lovingly cared for her over several years. Leonor was preceded in death by her husband Apolinario, parents Alejandro and Mamerta Mondoñedo, and siblings Arturo and Josefina. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Leonor Maligaya please visit our Sympathy Store.