Maria J. Gancayco

Maria Javellana Gancayco, of Damascus, Md., loving wife and mother of seven sons and one daughter, passed away peacefully at the age of 85 surrounded by her family, on Wednesday, December 11, 2019.

Maria, affectionately known to family and friends as “Mia,” was born on January 9, 1934 in the Philippines.  She was one of 13 children of Manuel Javellana and Mercedes Lacson. She received her B.S. in pharmacy from The University of Santo Thomas in Manila.  She married her childhood sweetheart Graciano Puyal Gancayco, M.D. on June 7, 1959.

The couple immigrated to the United States in 1960. She was the first in her family to become a U.S. citizen and enjoyed hosting her relatives from the Philippines. She worked for the Embassy of India for 10 years.  Later, she managed the pediatric offices of her husband for 50 years in Silver Spring, MD and Damascus, MD.

She was a gentle, kind mother to her seven sons and daughter whom she loved unconditionally.  She stressed the value of education in her family.  She supported the talents of all those around her in athletics, music, film, and dance.  She was a second mom to many of her sons’ friends as well as many nieces and nephews who immigrated from the Philippines.  There was always an extra seat and a plate of food available at her dinner table.

Mia was a devout Catholic with a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  She instilled this faith in her sons, family, and friends.  She supported her family through their challenges by attending daily Masses and praying novenas. She loved children and supported Catholic orphanages here in the U.S. and in the Philippines. She was also a strong supporter of the Center of Independence in Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Maria Rose. Mia is survived by her husband of 60 years, Graciano Gancayco, M.D., sons Robert Gancayco, M.D. (Meni), Theodore Gancayco, M.D. (Crystol), Rev. Richard Gancayco, George Gancayco, M.D. (Jamie), James Gancayco, LCDR (ret.) (Geraldine), Dr. Peter Gancayco, DPT (Abby), and Lt Col. John Gancayco, M.D. (Ela), sisters, (Merceditas J. Jalbuena and Margarita Abbey), and 18 grandchildren.

The family will receive friends and family on Thursday December 19, 2019 from 4-8 p.m. at Molesworth-Williams P.A. Funeral Home, 26401 Ridge Road, Damascus, MD. There will be a brief visitation with family at 10 A.M. on Friday, December 20th at St Paul’s Catholic Church, 9240 Damascus Road, Damascus, MD. A Catholic funeral mass will begin at 11 A.M. The burial will follow the funeral mass at All Souls Cemetery 11401 Brink Rd, Germantown, MD 20876. There will be a reception after the burial at St Paul’s Catholic Church in Damascus, MD.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.molesworthwilliams.com

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