Assist Mama Melba's Family in Their Time of Loss

Please help support Mama Melba’s family in covering funeral and memorial costs at this difficult time.

About Mama Melba

(May 7, 1939 - October 30, 2024)

Melba Asejo Juan was born in Legaspi City, Philippines in the province of Albay in the Bicol Region areas south east of Manila, Philippines on May 7, 1939. She is the fifth child out of the six children of Maximo and Dadea Asejo. She is one of 4 daughters. She studied at the Far Eastern University (FEU) in Manila Philippines where she completed a degree in Commerce with a major in Banking and Finance.

She migrated to the U.S. settling in Seattle in 1968. She initially worked at a local bank where she was able to obtain a loan to buy a home along Bangor Street in Skyway, an unincorporated area of Seattle. She has an only son, George A. Juan, whom she raised as a single Mom, after her husband divorced her while George was still very young. She later worked in a non-profit organization called CAMP that had an office in the Seattle Capitol Hill area. She was also employed in various organizations including Swedish Hospital laboratory and later on an Adult Home to help the elderly.

Melba did not have a hobby to while away her extra time. Instead, she loved praying. She goes to Mass as often as she can and made an effort to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Charismatic Prayer Group in St. Peter Parish Church in Beacon Hill until its dissolution. She was also a long-time parishioner of St. James Cathedral where she was a part of the Legion of Mary and served as Special Minister of the Eucharist (EM) since the early 1990s. She was quick to visit friends who get sick and prayed for their healing fervently. She loves to eat Filipino foods. Her favorites include pansit bihon, fried chicken and soups. She loved flowers, fruits, and reading books about saints. In spite of all the challenges she had to endure in life as a single mother, she remained always joyful. She surely knows how to smell the roses every day.

Melba loved the Blessed Mother Mary and Jesus Christ throughout her life. She entrusted her life and family to Jesus our Lord and Savior to the very end. She lived the life of a simple Catholic Christian. In her quiet moments, she would call to God and say, “In my deepest wounds O Lord, I see your glory” and also “Every day brings a new life, new beginnings.” She is now with her Jesus Christ ready to receive and enjoy the blessings and love of our God, our Father in heaven has in store for all his children who lived in his ways.