Aurora Salleza Samilin, 70, became an angel on Saturday, December 28th, 2019 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. Her visitation will be 2:00PM to 4:00PM on Saturday, January 4th, 2020 at the Passantino Bros. Funeral Home, located 2117 Independence Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64124, where a memorial service will begin at 3:30PM. Cremation will follow upon completion of the memorial. Condolences may be offered at www. passantinobros.com.

Aurora was born October 15th, 1949 in Manila, Philippines to Manuel and Olympia Salleza.  She was the fifth baby of six children. She attended Plaridel Elementary School from 1956-1961 and graduated from Manuel El Quezon High School in 1966. She was accepted to the University of the East in 1967 and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting in 1971.

She started working in her field in the Philippines while employed at the Banaria Accounting Firm. It was there that she met her future husband, Jose. They married at St. Joseph's The Worker Catholic Church on January 7th, 1979 in Manila. Following their marriage, they sought other opportunities beyond the Philippine border. Aurora's travels led her to Portland, OR where she was an accountant for Wells Fargo while Jose ventured to American Samoa in the South Pacific as a certified public accountant.

Aurora emigrated to American Samoa to reunite with her husband. In the following years, she blessed their little home with four children, Jeffrey, Jason, Anna Liza, and Joseph, while working as an accountant for the island-renowned Pritchard's Bakery. She traveled back to the Philippines in the spring of 1987 only to return and surprise their children with the birth of Jonathan, her fifth blessing.

She returned to the United States in 2003 after Anna was diagnosed with cancer. During Anna's arduous fight with cancer, she was there every step of the way. From the agonizing chemotherapy sessions to Anna's announcement of remission, Aurora was right beside her. On January 20th, 2011, she became a naturalized citizen.

Aurora loved to cook, bake, and crochet. She also enjoyed watching Filipino daytime drama shows and movies. She was a devout Catholic, an active member of the Legion of Mary, and the Filipino Community of American Samoa. Throughout her life, Aurora chose a life of simplicity. She will be forever remembered for her unconditional adoration for her family, her serene and mild-mannered demeanor, and strong mental fortitude. Aurora will always remain in our memories and forever in our hearts.

She was preceded in passing by her parents, Manuel and Olympia Salleza; her two sons, Joseph and Jason; and her sister Sofia Salleza.

Aurora is survived by her husband, Jose; her three children, Jeffrey Samilin, Anna Liza Dewhurst, and Jonathan Samilin; her siblings, Romulo Salleza, Carmencita Hernandez, Francisco Salleza, and Manuel Salleza, Jr.; and her grandchildren.

Acknowledgements and Special Gratitude

We would like to recognize those who provided support and assisted us every step of this difficult journey:

- Anna Liza & Christopher Dewhurst

- Naimanu Samilin & Family

- Jeffrey & Donna Samilin and Family

- John & Rhonda and the Dewhurst Family

- The Healthcare staff at Research and Lee's Summit Medical Centers

- Kansas City Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care

- The Philippine Nurses Association of Greater Kansas City

- Sarah Martinez-Lima with SM Designs

- Passantino Bros. Funeral Home

- Family and Friends of Aurora Samilin