On April 13, 2025, Mercedita Basilan, wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 78. She fought as hard as her body would allow her to, even to her very last breath. Her strength, heart, and faith throughout her battle will forever leave a lasting impression of a life well lived.

Merci, as all who knew her, was born on September 24, 1946, to Kim Tiong “Joe” Pe and Maria Pe in Antique, Philippines. She grew up with 5 brothers, Hernando, Freddy, Rudy, Gil, and Nelson, and two sisters, Norma and Elizabeth.

Merci worked for 25 years after arriving to the United States in a plastic fabrication company as a bookkeeper until her retirement in the Philippines. She was a dedicated, hard, and loyal worker throughout her years with the company. However, her greatest achievement and most proud accomplishment was her family. She married the love of her life, Danilo, on January 5, 1974. They had two children, Charlie and Regina. She loved and welcomed Regina’s husband Steven and his son Seth with open arms. But Merci’s greatest love was her granddaughter, Shayla. Being her Lola was one of her ultimate joys. Merci enjoyed practicing her faith, playing mahjong weekly with her nearest and dearest friends, traveling to nearby islands or countries, eating out with her husband, watching Shayla do her activities, and spending quality time with those she loved the most.

Merci is survived by her husband, Danilo, her children, Charlie, Regina and Steven, and her loving granddaughter Shayla.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Glioblastoma Foundation to help people fight brain cancer in Merci's honor.

Please join her family in celebrating her life at her funeral services on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Service will be at 11:00 am at Hephatha Lutheran Church with a reception to follow at the church hall at 12:00 pm.

May Merci rest in eternal peace, free from pain, and may she be remembered for the love and light she brought into the lives of others.