Mrs. Maxima Sia Chua, age 101, of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away at her home on Thursday, November 7, 2019, with her family by her side. She was predeceased by her husband, Jose Salas Chua Sr. of San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines; her brother, Huan Siong, and his wife, Chua Siu Susan; and a daughter-in-law, Olym Decolongon-Chua.

She is survived by her 13 children and their spouses: Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS (Farida Isip-Chua, MD); Anita Chua-Ng (Godofredo Ng, MD, FACS); Claro Chua; Eduardo Chua (Sylvia Tan-Chua); Vicky Chua-Ang, RN (Ricardo Ang); Mina Chua-Yang (Patrick Yang); Jose Chua Jr. (Tessie Licud-Chua); Corazon Chua-Jao (Francis Jao); Lorenzo Chua (Wyda Lozada-Chua); Vic Chua (Rosario Mejia-Chua); Saturnino Chua; Manuel Chua, MD, MSPH (Maribel Mirafuente-Chua,DDS); Ricardo Chua (Arlet Llano-Chua); and Maria Victoria Ng Chua.

She is also survived by her 31 grandchildren (and their spouses): Sheillah Chua-Gentile, MD (Anthony A. Gentile, MD, PhD); Felipe Chua Jr., MD; Portia Chua-Gonzales, MD (Luisito Gonzales, MD, FACC); Rachel Chua, MD; Emily Chua-Greenlee, MD (Jeremy D. Greenlee, MD); Cheryl Ng-O’Malley, JD (Don O’Malley Jr., MD); Peter Ng, MD, FACS (Kyong Lee, MBA); David A. Ng, MBA (Eden Jover Ng, BSN); Cindy Ng, MSW; Joseph Ng (Onelia Jose, MD); Michael Chua (Jessica Lee Chua); Arlene Chua, MD (Roland Rivera); Annabelle Chua, MD (Ken Han, JD); Edison Chua, MD; Edwin Chua; Joel Ang, MD; Jinky Ang-Rosselli, MPH (Richard Rosselli, MPH); Eric Ang (Carol Lin); Jennifer H. Yang; Jason H. Yang; Julie H. Yang; Glenn Chua (Trang Phan-Chua); Allan Chua, JD; Mark Oliver Chua (Ashley Beth Chua); Bryan Jao; Kimberly Jao-Laws (Michael Laws); Stefanie Chua, PharmD; Stephen Chua; Melvin Chua (Lien Phu-Chua); Mark V. Chua; and Matthew Chua.

She is also survived by her 39 beloved great-grandchildren: Evan Chua Gentile, Samantha Chua, Aidan Chua Gonzales, Brendan Chua Gonzales, Sydney Elizabeth Chua Brown, James Milton Brown IV, Jacob Woodfill Greenlee, Alaina Anne Greenlee, Anna Elise Greenlee, Colin Alexander Greenlee, Cara O’Malley, Ryan O’Malley, Olivia Ng, Matthew Ng, Gabriel William Ng, Erin Grace Ng, Simon David Ng, Hailey Ng, Catherine Chua, Megan Chua, Andrew Chua, Madison Elizabeth Rivera, Caroline Nicole Rivera, Nicholas James Rivera, Audrey Han, Garrett Han, Lucas Han, Ted Chua, John Chua, Maxwell Ang Rosselli, Gabriella Josephine Ang Rosselli, Colin James Ang, Christian Jeremiah Ang, Avery Chua, Mason Chua, Ayson Kyle Chua, Oliver Maxwell Chua, Duke Richard Chua and Kathryn Mae Chua.

And she is survived by her loving nieces and nephews, and their families: Alfonso Huan, Pacita Kwan, Rosita Huan, Tony Huan, and Mary Huan.

Maxima was born to Sia Tiak and Chua Obit in Jinjiang, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China, on the Chinese lunar calendar date of October 5, 1918 (July 15, 1918, per the Gregorian calendar). She immigrated to the Philippines at the age of 14 and subsequently married Jose Salas Chua, a Filipino citizen. In 1974, she migrated to the United States to join her four elder children. She acquired her US citizenship on August 27, 1982. By 1989, all of her 13 children and their respective families were with her in the United States. Ten of her children settled in Raleigh; one in Wildomar, California; and two in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over the years, Maxima embraced many family friends as her adopted family, including Tony and Dolly Tan, Msgr. Gerald Lewis, and Drs. Art and Rosemary de Leon, all of Raleigh.

To her grandchildren, she was lovingly known as “Amah.” Amah always greeted her grandchildren with a smile and a cheerful spirit. She cherished visits from her great-grandchildren, who called her “Thayma.” Thayma was always prepared to share her sweets and snacks, along with hugs and kisses. In her younger years, she helped care for many of her grandchildren, as well as some of her great-grandchildren. She was always there when most needed by her family, to whom she represented the epitome of devotion and unconditional love.

Maxima enjoyed many hobbies over the years, including sewing clothes and knitting hats and scarves. In her younger years she was an active volunteer for the Philippine American Association of North Carolina (PAANC), assisting annually in preparing Filipino foods (lumpiang shanghai and turon) for the International Festival of Raleigh as well as the St. Raphael Fair. She had a passion for games, whether in the form of favorite TV shows (The Price Is Right, Deal or No Deal) or endless rounds of bingo at family gatherings. Her most recent pastime had been playing the lottery scratch-offs, which, without fail, made her hum with happiness (even if there was no payout!). She treasured the small joys in life—and no doubt the biggest of these was her family. She enjoyed every second of time spent with her children and their families. Maxima loved her family dearly.

Visitation services will be held at the Renaissance Funeral Home located at 7615 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27615 (phone: (919) 866-1866) on Thursday, November 14, 2019, from 5 to 7 p.m.

A Mass for the Celebration of Life will be held at St. Raphael The Archangel Catholic Church, 5801 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27609 on Friday, November 15 at 11 a.m. Immediately following the church service, interment will be held at Pine Forest Memorial Garden, located at 770 Stadium Drive, Wake Forest, NC 27587.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made In Memory of Maxima Sia Chua to Transitions LifeCare Hospice, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 (www.transitionslifecare.org), or to St. Raphael The Archangel Catholic Church, 5801 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27609 (www.saintraphael.org).