By Grace Sadumiano | Special to the Herald

Everyone was in a state of disbelief when we learned of the untimely death of a beloved wife, mother and friend on Dec.4. As friends and members of the Hawaii Council of Filipino Catholic Clubs heard the news, nobody seemed to be able to comprehend why Manang Aurelia “Auring” Vicente, who only a month ago helped organized the 57th Annual Diocesan Congress of Filipino Catholic Clubs convention in Kona, bade her final adieu.

The convention had been a gathering of Manang Auring’s friends from all over the islands —friends who shared her unfailing faith and with whom she exchanged smiles, simple hellos, warm hugs and alohas.

Aurelia’s name means “golden,” which was appropriate for a person with her heart of gold. Her devotion and passion loving and serving others was evident in her volunteer work visiting the sick and the suffering as part of her commitment to live up to the ideals of the Filipino Catholic Club of the St. Joseph Unit in Hilo.

She was the perennial treasurer of the Hawaii Council of Filipino Catholic Clubs and, for the year 2007, of the Diocesan Congress of Filipino Catholic Clubs — an office she performed with a loyal dedication. Moreover, her years volunteering in various church ministries was a manifestation of her service to others, a testament of her love and generosity.

Manang Auring stood out because of the calmness and serenity of her character. My most enduring memory of her is that of her gentleness and humility. We remember her sweet smile that said it all. It was her gentle way of communicating — of her fearless and independent mind, her votes for the greatest good, her confidence in the capacity of people to do good, and her devotion to love and serve the Lord without question.

She reminds me of the words from the “Desiderata” — “Go placidly amidst the noise and the haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others.”

We will truly miss you, Manang Auring.

To Manong Adriano and to the entire family, we are deeply sorry for your loss. May the knowledge of Manang Auring’s life — lived fully as a true disciple of the Lord — bring you comfort and lift your spirit in these trying days. May the voices of people whose lives she touched be a balm to your aching hearts. May you find solace in knowing that Manang Auring was a part, not only of your immediate family, but of the lives of those who had the gift of knowing her.

She will always be in the heart of every council member as we continue to carry the torch of making the HCFCC and the DCFCC, which she truly loved and cared about, a genuinely Catholic, caring community.