The sealed casket bearing the body of an undocumented Filipino caregiver finally arrived in the Philippines three weeks after she died of an aneurysm in the United States, ABS-CBN News reported.
Lucia Imbaldone, 59, passed away in Chicago, Illinois on July 23. Her coffin arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on board an Asiana Airlines flight at noon Wednesday.
Imbaldone lived alone in Chicago and had neither family nor friends to help repatriate her body to the Philippines. She had no working permit.
Through the Philippine consulate in Chicago, Filipinos from all over the US were able to raise $7,500, enough to ship her remains home and help support her orphaned family.
Officials of the consulate said donations poured in as concerned Filipinos and organizations paid their last respects during the funeral service over the weekend.
At noon Wednesday family members led by eldest daughter Liberty Martinez received the casket bearing Imbaldone's remains at the airport. They thanked all those who helped repatriate Imbaldone's remains.
Martinez said her mother worked 24 hours a day for the past nine years in order to support her family back home.
Her daughter also said that Imbaldone did not tell them about her condition throughout her stay in Chicago.
Despite being an illegal alien, Martinez praised her mother for her sacrifices.
Vice-Consul Roberto Bernardo, for his part, said the consulate is prepared to help Filipinos in need regardless of immigration status.
source: ABS-CBN Online
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