Imelda Tjia

Imelda Maria Tjia (Lo Lian Kiem) November 27, 1949 ñ October 2, 2016. Imelda was born in Mojokerto, a small city in East Java, Indonesia, the sixth of eight siblings. In the fifth grade she became a Catholic together with her mother and several brothers and sisters. Starting middle school she moved to the larger city of Surabaya where she attended Catholic schools and Catholic University majoring in Economics. In 1972 she married the love of her life, Michael, and soon after their first daughter, Frigga, was born. With her young family she migrated to the USA in 1975 where Michael continued his Engineering studies in Texas. A second daughter, Helga, was born in Texas. Since then the family has lived in Canada, Virginia and North Carolina before finally settling down in California in 1998. From a very young age, Imelda has been very active at church, first as a member of the Legion of Mary and the Catholic Student Organization. Later on she became Eucharistic Minister and Sacristan and, since the passing of her eldest daughter in 1994, also active in Bereaved Parents Support groups and Bereavement Ministries. She received the Benemerenti Award for her work in Catholic Charities from Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. She is also a very avid quilter. Her best memories were being at home surrounded by loving family and friends and especially her two grandchildren. We have lost a very caring, loving, compassionate and devout person who loved everybody and is loved by so many. Rest in Peace Imelda, may the Eternal Light shine upon you in the presence of God, the Angels and all the Saints. A visitation for Imelda will be held on Sunday, October 9th beginning at 5:30pm with the Rosary beginning at 7pm located at Holy Cross Church in Moorpark. Mass will be celebrated on Monday, October 10th at 10am located at Holy Cross Church in Moorpark. A reception will follow at the Cosgrove Hall.