Fay Encinas Nadeau's Obituary
Fay Encinas Nadeau
December 10, 1934 – December 16, 2013
Fay was born to Antonio Cultivo and Perpituwa Padau on December 10, 1934 at Pili, Camarines Sur Provence, US Territory of the Philippines. Almost 6 months later on May 7, 1935, the Philippines became a self-governing US Commonwealth. Her schoolhouse had 2 flagpoles in front, one US and the other Philippine. Each morning the children pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. After World War II, the Philippines were granted full independence on July 4, 1946. Her future husband, Airman First Class Gene Nadeau, arrived in Manila in March 1957. He was assigned to Manila Air Station in the port area as an Armed Forces Policeman. Soon after he arrived, they met and it was love at first sight. A year later on March 5, 1958 they married. They departed the Philippines for MacDill AFB at Tampa, Florida in July 1958. Gene signed up for six more years and they moved to McChord AFB near Tacoma, WA in January 1959. Before moving on to their next assignment in 1961 to Clark AB, Philippines, Fay became a US citizen. In March 1970, they became guardians for 3 month old Jeannette - later adopting her at Great Falls, Montana. During their time together, they moved 13 times and travelled over 50,000 miles, including ocean crossings. Gene finally retired from the AF on August 1, 1981. They purchased their current home soon afterward.
Fay liked her home, garden and flowers. She had always been an excellent cook, known as much for “turkey with all the trimmings” holiday meals as well as for Filipino foods such as pancet, adobo and lumpia. She enjoyed going on drives to Mt. Rainier, Westport and local parks. For several years, Fay went to the Korean Women’s Association Thursday Meal Site. She enjoyed the music, food and Bingo. On June 12, 1991, Mount Pinatubo near Clark AB, Philippines erupted, badly damaging the base and nearby towns, it was the second most violent eruption in the 20th century. Families at Clark AB had to be evacuated to the Subic Bay Naval Base just before the eruption. Gene and Fay went to the McChord Field Air Terminal to help process the Air Force and Navy families that were arriving there hourly on charted jets.
Fay finally died on December 16, 2013 from complications of diabetes. She was preceded in death by her Mother and Father, eight older brothers and sisters in the Philippines and her daughter, Jeannette. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Gene, and several great nieces and nephews and their families and Nadeau family members.
A memorial will be held at 1100 hours at Mountain View Funeral Home in the Aspen Chapel, Celebration of Life Center. A reception will follow at the Old Country Buffett in Lakewood. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the American Diabetes Association PO Box 1834, Merrifield, VA 22116-8034.
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