Sunrise: August 31, 1947
Sunset: December 27, 2023
The Eastman, Golez and Porte-Best families announce with deep regrets the death of Maria Teresa Golez Eastman, commonly known as “Aunty Ning.’’ Maria Teresa went home to Glory at 4 a.m. December 27, 2023, at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Hospital. She was 76.
Maria Teresa emigrated to Liberia from her native, Philippines in 1969, shortly after marrying her husband, Eric Eastman, one of Liberia’s leading agriculturists and landscape designers. The couple met in 1967, when Mr. Eastman was working on his master’s degree in farm machinery at the University of Agriculture in Los Baños, Philippines.
They were married on May 25, 1969, a beautiful love story that spanned 54 years. Their union was blessed with two sons, Paul, and Michel (deceased).
Maria Teresa found her footing in Liberia, learning to cook Liberian foods. In the days since her passing, family members have been reflecting on the delicious potato greens, cassava leaf and jollof rice she often served with Filipino dishes at family gatherings.
Maria Teresa Eastman’s love for food and feeding people led to pursue a career as a dietician. She spent her career at the University of Liberia from the late 1970s until the civil war. Later, she worked at Sheriff’s Pharmacy.
Maria Teresa Golez Eastman was predeceased by her parents and her son, Michel. She is survived by her husband, Eric Eastman; one son, Paul (Jackie), her daughters-in-law, Jackie and Maima Eastman, two grandsons, Michel, and LeVert; dozens of foster children, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of relatives in Liberia, the United States, and the Philippines.
Homegoing Services: The body of Maria Teresa Golez Eastman, “Aunty Ning,’’ will be removed from the Stryker Funeral Home at 8:30 a.m. Friday, January 12, 2024, and taken to the St. Kizito Catholic Church in Paynesville for wake-keeping and Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Interment will take place at Porte Hill’s Cemetery in Crozierville.
Contacts
Maureen Sieh, cousin: 231776309644
Francis Frederick Johnson, nephew:231776871552
Jackie Eastman, daughter-in-law: 231886900591
Maima Eastman, daughter-in-law: 231778383874
