Marilu Puriño (née Lourdes Puriño), 86, passed away December 26, 2023 in the comfort of her residence. She was born on November 26, 1937 to Dionisio Puriño and Natividad Banta in Manila, Philippines. Marilu, known as Lola in her later years, was a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, wife, and friend. She was predeceased by her husband RM Poedjas Santoso. Surviving are her daughters and their spouses Michelle (David Richter), Riana (Dave Alizio), Lousana (Matthew Campagna), and Cynthia (Sam Alizio); grandchildren Arianne Alizio (Trevor Neuhoff), Tatiana Edwards (Matt Edwards), Brooklyn Campagna, Savannah Alizio, Manou Richter, Sofia Campagna, Sebastian Alizio, and Ava Campagna. Marilu was one of eight children (Perfecto, Dionisio Jr, Rodolfo, Luz, Lourdes, Antonio, Teresa, and Alberto). She studied Journalism at Centro Escolar University. Upon graduation she left the Philippines to embark on a solo adventure to America. Marilu traveled the globe with a gravitational pull towards New York City. There she landed a job working for the 1964 New York World’s Fair, where she met an Indonesian diplomat that set her life course on a new trajectory as Lourdes Santoso– wife and mother. While savvy in business as a commodities trader and financial advisor, Marilu’s true passion was music– specifically opera. She studied voice at a young age and continued singing into her senior years as a member of the choir at St. Cecilia Parish. Combining her passions of song and faith kept her young at heart and profoundly connected to her community. This woman of the world resided in Manila, Philippines; New York City; New Jersey; Bucks County, Pennsylvania; Jakarta, Indonesia; San Francisco; and in her final retirement years, Bainbridge Island, Washington. Though her vibrant personality and warm smile will be missed by all who knew her, she lives on through the boundless energy and supernatural force that is Marilu “Lola” Puriño.
A memorial service will take place at 12pm, Saturday, January 13, 2024 at St Cecilia Parish, 1310 Madison Ave N, Bainbridge Island, Washington. Online memorial can be viewed at: https://rb.gy/knsey1
In remembrance of Marilu “Lola” Puriño, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Island Volunteer Caregivers (IVC) of Bainbridge Island, whose services truly enriched Lola’s life by providing her a sense of independence and community involvement. https://www.ivcbainbridge.org/
