Susan’s memory lives on

Parishioners of the Christ the King Parish in the Diocese of Tagum particularly members of the Lay Formation program mourn the loss of their colleague, Susan O. Arellano, who died several weeks ago. The 56-year old Susan was found dead in her home at Osmeña Extension. Investigation is still on-going until this writing.

Before her designation as office and booking in-charge of the Lay Formation Program, Susan, who was single, had worked as Diocesan Youth Coordinator of the Diocese of Tagum with Fr. Fernando Juab as director. In 1988, she was chosen to coordinate with the new program of the Diocese.

A holder of a degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, the late Susan Arellano taught Religious Education for three years, 1987-1989, at the St. Mary’s College of Tagum.

After earning a BSBA degree, Susan took up post graduate studies in Religious Education and Guidance and Counseling at the Mother of Life Center in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Susan had worked in the Immaculate Conception of Mary Quasi-Parish, St. John Paul II Lay Formation & Training Center from 1990-2015. Vikay Solis, who had worked with her, said that Susan was a caring, kindly and generous person. In a reflection paper that Susan wrote in 1986, she believed that a person who puts God first will live life in abundance. Her generosity was an expression of this dependency on God as well as her grateful response to the Lord’s blessings upon her. She had sent scholars to study in the Mother of Life and also gave financial support to the children of her officemates.

Susan can be said to be the epitome of a servant of God. Prayer was at the heart of her service waking up early at 4 AM. She lived the rest of the day pursuing God’s plans for her as she expressed that she had no plans for herself except that which the Lord had given her. Indeed, her life is lived in the service of God. In her Mother of Life Yearbook, her caption says “Everything is clear when God is there; Life is full of doubt when God is out.” The perpetrator may have cut her service short but her memory and example would continue to shine in the hearts of those whom Susan had touched. (With reports from LA PALOMA MENSAJERA)