Bienvenida Calanoc Manalili

The soul of Bienvenida C. Manalili was received in heaven on November 22, 2019.  Bienvenida, or Benny to family and friends, was 78 years old when she passed away at Fort Walton Medical Center after suffering a fall at home. She was surrounded by her daughter, Helen Davis; son-in-law, Kenneth Davis; grandson, Kyle Davis; and granddaughter, Kristen Davis.

            Benny was born in Arayat, Philippines, in 1941.  Her father, Esteban Calanoc, was killed by the Japanese for helping American airmen.  This left her mother, Eusebia Buan Calanoc, as a widow to raise Bienvenida and her five sisters and two brothers.  Her childhood taught Benny to work hard, believe in God, and appreciate the little things in life.  Benny married Lorenzo Manalili in 1958 and had two daughters, Lani and Helen.  Lorenzo died in 1963, leaving Benny with two small children.

            While these sufferings and hardships would have broken most people, Benny’s belief in God and the goodness of people enabled her to carry on.  Benny became an expert seamstress and could make any dress or outfit by just looking at a picture of the dress.  Through her hard work and dedication to family, Benny not only raised and put both Lani and Helen through college, but also raised and supported 9 of her nieces and nephews.  Benny worked until the day of her tragic fall. Benny felt a need to stay busy and be able to help family and friends.

            Even though Benny traveled the world and visited numerous places such as the Vatican and Buckingham Palace, she was the happiest talking with friends or watching her Filipino television shows.  She was determined to spoil her grandchildren and took great pride in their accomplishments. Bienvenida Manalili was an extraordinary woman whose focus in life was her family.

            Benny is survived by her daughter, Helen Manalili Davis and her husband, Ken; her grandchildren Alvin Canlas, Allen Canlas and his wife, Elaine Canlas Timbol and her husband, Ana Mae Canlas Asuncion and her husband, Kyle Davis, and Kristen Davis.  Benny is also survived by her great grandchildren, Asher Timbol, Candace Timbol, Althea Canlas, and Adam Canlas.

            Benny was preceded in death by her husband Lorenzo Manalili, her daughter Lani Manalili Canlas; her parents, Eusebia and Esteban Calanoc, and her siblings, Maria Martinez, Prima Reyes, Poli Calanoc, Alfredo Calanoc, Gertrudez Catacutan, Juanita de Guzman, and Angel Martinez.

            Bienvenida Manalili’s will have her wake at Emerald Coast Funeral Home on Monday, December 2, 2019 from 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M., with the Wake Service beginning at 6:30 P.M.  The funeral Mass will be at the Hurlburt Field Chapel on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. Followed by a grave side service at Beal Memorial Cemetery At 11:30 A.M.

            The family would like to express their thanks to the dedicated nurses and doctors at the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center ICU unit for their support and professionalism.

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