Asuncion Aquino Marsafawy

Asuncion Aquino Marsafawy

August 15, 1941 – May 16, 2025

Asuncion Aquino Marsafawy passed away peacefully at her home in Union, New Jersey, on May 16, 2025, holding her daughter’s hand and listening to stories about her family. She was 83.

Born in Concepcion, Tarlac, Philippines, on August 15, 1941, Asuncion built a life defined by quiet strength, deep faith, and unwavering devotion to the people she loved. She worked for many years as a librarian at the United Nations, a fitting role for someone who valued knowledge, curiosity, and quiet dignity.

Known affectionately by many names—Baby to her family, Auntie/Tita Baby to her nieces and nephews, Lola Baby to her granddaughter, and Sue to many friends—Asuncion lived a life that touched generations.

She is survived by her daughter Roda de Guzman, son-in-law Andres, and granddaughter Maya; her son Kareem; her elder sisters Alita Fagan and Adelia Morales and her younger sisters Alegria Aquino Albers and Nimfa Timpone. She is also survived by her large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.

She was predeceased by her parents, Rosalina and Paciano Aquino; her sisters Alicia Honrado, Aurelia Joven, and Nila Recto; and her brothers Antonio Aquino and Armando Aquino.

To know her was to know kindness. She had a quiet humor, a deep reservoir of love, and a way of making everyone feel like family. She was happiest when surrounded by those she cared about—feeding them, laughing with them, and always asking if you’d eaten yet.

She loved music and played the piano with grace and joy. She was a devoted NY Yankees and Knicks fan and found peace in caring for her plants and decorating her home with fresh flowers—the colors, the scents, and the life they brought were a quiet celebration of the beauty she saw in the world.

A devout Catholic, Asuncion found constancy and comfort in her faith and her church community. She would pray the rosary daily and especially enjoyed the music at Sunday Mass, which brought her joy and calm.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, May 21, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Frank Patti Funeral Home in Fort Lee, New Jersey. A Funeral Mass will follow on Thursday, May 22, at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Madonna, also in Fort Lee.

If you feel moved to do so, donations in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org. This is a cause close to our hearts, and your support is deeply appreciated.

Hers was a life well lived—anchored in faith, shaped by love, and devoted above all to raising a family.

She will be deeply missed and forever cherished. We will carry her in our hearts, always