The widow of the late Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon yesterday thanked all those who showed her family acts of thoughtfulness and gestures of love that she said warmed their hearts when they needed them most.

Aida Marañon thanked all those who condoled with them following the passing away of her husband on March 13, at an Easter Mass and the end of the prayers for the dead at Nature’s Village in Talisay City last night attended by family, friends and political allies.

The memory of her husband will live on in her and all those who loved him, she said, and, “as for me I must move on for the sake of my children, grandchildren, two great grandchildren who depend on me.”

“Joseph will be remembered as a simple, humble man, a good, loving and caring husband, a dreamer, and a man of action and political will who worked for others,” she said.

“He fought the Big C for 5 ½ years, he bore his sufferings and pains and discomfort bravely and humbly,” she said.

“God took him peacefully and quickly and for that we are thankful,” she added.

Mrs. Marañon also read a poem the late governor had cut out from a newspaper that she found after he died, entitled “To Those I Love and to Those Who Love Me.”

The poem reads:

When I am gone,

Release me, let me go

I have so many things to see and do.

You mustn’t tis yourself to me with tears;

Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love.

You can only guess how much you gave

to me in happiness.

I thank you for the love

You each have shown me;

But now it’s time to travel alone.

So grieve awhile for me,

if grieve you must.

Then let your grief be comforted by trust.

It’s only for awhile that we must part,

So bless the memories within your heart.

I won’t be far away for life goes on.

So if you need me,

Call me and I will be near.

And if you listen with your heart,

You’ll hear

All my love around you,

Soft and clear.

Mrs. Marañon said the poem was among the many religious items and clippings the governor kept in a drawer in his office at home.*CPG

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