In loving memory of Bernadette Basi Custodio
Donation protected
Bernadette Basi Custodio passed peacefully in her sleep around 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 6th, 2019.
Beth was diagnosed with Stage-4 lung cancer at the end of 2016. It came as a terrible surprise since she never smoked, rarely drank, and lived a healthy, active lifestyle. It just didn't seem fair. Regardless of the fact, she took her challenge head on. Beth is a warrior, but she played her cards close and did not want to burden friends and family with her ailments. Life went on.
In classic Beth style, she made friends everywhere she went. Whether she was on a religious pilgrimage, at an appointment, or getting treatment at the infusion center, Beth pushed herself and rallied others in the same situation to see it through until graduation. After a hard-fought year of exhaustive concurrent chemo and radiation therapy, the doctors at Jefferson and Methodist Hospitals were able to contain the aggressive carcinoma mutation and safely say that she had beaten the odds. She did it. We made it. For this, our family was grateful.
Even in her tired state, Mom always made time to live and laugh with everyone. She loved big family dinners, hanging out over coffee, watching the Filipino channel, going to the mall with friends, or simply joy riding to see some sights. A beautiful year of remission was marred with developing AFIB, chest pains, fluid in the lungs, and labored breathing. Beth was a slave to her timer, managing a serious cocktail of seven different medications needed to battle cancer, AFIB, hypertension, and diabetes that was stacking up against her. We were forced to postpone her yearly trip to the Philippines, as she was unable to travel in her condition.
Beth suffered a massive stroke in her left hemisphere early January 2019, leaving her without the ability to talk and loss of movement to the right side of her body. She was hospitalized and taken to Jefferson Hospital where doctors performed a life-saving craniectomy, relieving the pressure building in her skull and allowing the inflammation in her brain to subside. Much thanks to the amazing teams at JHN NICU that took special care of our Mom.
Eventually, she was discharged and sent to rehabilitation for 24-hour care and recovery. Good progress was made during her months of arduous therapy. Beth was home for a brief moment until her weakened immune system fell victim to MRSA, so it was back to Jefferson Hospital. The craniectomy incision had to be reopened and cleaned in order to cease the spread of the infection. We were discharged to a new facility where the care and therapy were exceptional. Unfortunately, her stay there was short, as the nurses found her in bed, unresponsive. 911 responders worked intensely for 40 minutes before calling it.
Beth was 67 years old. She is survived by her three sons: JP, JJ, and JR. As well as her aunt, Anita Sioson AKA Lola, and five brothers and sisters: Rolando, Jaime, Cynthia, Angelino Jr., and Lucille; all her nieces and nephews, her adopted children, and extended family members. We are honored and privileged to have been so close to such a powerful source of strength, love, and happiness.
In faith, Beth served as the heartbeat of a community for years at St. Thomas Aquinas. As a teacher, she never gave up on cultivating the future of our generation. Mom raised, nurtured, and inspired countless individuals to do right and be the best version of themselves. Her impact echoes in South Philly and beyond, and her footprints will be left on our hearts forever.
Together, help us celebrate the memory of an amazing woman who devoted her life to her peers and her family.
Contributions will benefit Custodio Family to alleviate medical expenses and funeral services.
Beth was diagnosed with Stage-4 lung cancer at the end of 2016. It came as a terrible surprise since she never smoked, rarely drank, and lived a healthy, active lifestyle. It just didn't seem fair. Regardless of the fact, she took her challenge head on. Beth is a warrior, but she played her cards close and did not want to burden friends and family with her ailments. Life went on.
In classic Beth style, she made friends everywhere she went. Whether she was on a religious pilgrimage, at an appointment, or getting treatment at the infusion center, Beth pushed herself and rallied others in the same situation to see it through until graduation. After a hard-fought year of exhaustive concurrent chemo and radiation therapy, the doctors at Jefferson and Methodist Hospitals were able to contain the aggressive carcinoma mutation and safely say that she had beaten the odds. She did it. We made it. For this, our family was grateful.
Even in her tired state, Mom always made time to live and laugh with everyone. She loved big family dinners, hanging out over coffee, watching the Filipino channel, going to the mall with friends, or simply joy riding to see some sights. A beautiful year of remission was marred with developing AFIB, chest pains, fluid in the lungs, and labored breathing. Beth was a slave to her timer, managing a serious cocktail of seven different medications needed to battle cancer, AFIB, hypertension, and diabetes that was stacking up against her. We were forced to postpone her yearly trip to the Philippines, as she was unable to travel in her condition.
Beth suffered a massive stroke in her left hemisphere early January 2019, leaving her without the ability to talk and loss of movement to the right side of her body. She was hospitalized and taken to Jefferson Hospital where doctors performed a life-saving craniectomy, relieving the pressure building in her skull and allowing the inflammation in her brain to subside. Much thanks to the amazing teams at JHN NICU that took special care of our Mom.
Eventually, she was discharged and sent to rehabilitation for 24-hour care and recovery. Good progress was made during her months of arduous therapy. Beth was home for a brief moment until her weakened immune system fell victim to MRSA, so it was back to Jefferson Hospital. The craniectomy incision had to be reopened and cleaned in order to cease the spread of the infection. We were discharged to a new facility where the care and therapy were exceptional. Unfortunately, her stay there was short, as the nurses found her in bed, unresponsive. 911 responders worked intensely for 40 minutes before calling it.
Beth was 67 years old. She is survived by her three sons: JP, JJ, and JR. As well as her aunt, Anita Sioson AKA Lola, and five brothers and sisters: Rolando, Jaime, Cynthia, Angelino Jr., and Lucille; all her nieces and nephews, her adopted children, and extended family members. We are honored and privileged to have been so close to such a powerful source of strength, love, and happiness.
In faith, Beth served as the heartbeat of a community for years at St. Thomas Aquinas. As a teacher, she never gave up on cultivating the future of our generation. Mom raised, nurtured, and inspired countless individuals to do right and be the best version of themselves. Her impact echoes in South Philly and beyond, and her footprints will be left on our hearts forever.
Together, help us celebrate the memory of an amazing woman who devoted her life to her peers and her family.
Contributions will benefit Custodio Family to alleviate medical expenses and funeral services.
Organizer
Jay Jay
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA