Lucille Amata

Our devoted and beloved mother and grandmother, Lucille Rollins Suntay Amata, passed away unexpectedly from complications of cancer at age 76, on July 27, 2019. Lucille was born during the bombing of Manila, Philippines on October 29, 1942 to Edna Rollins and Angel Suntay. She was the youngest of 5 and the baby of the family. She would often say that being the baby of the family by some 17 years, her parents greatly doted over her.  She led a very sheltered life as a result of being born with a hair lip. During that time the Japanese were gathering the native Filipinos and Lucille would often tell her children stories of how when her mother was pregnant with her, she had been pushed from the army truck by one of the Japanese soldiers and that had resulted in her hair lip. She and her family survived the war in the mountain vastness of the Northern Philippines. Lucille would further joke that her stubbornness in life came as a result of her being raised on goat milk during that time of survival. Lucille did not speak too often of her childhood except to say that she and her “mama” and “papa” were very close. She also spoke of growing up in Catholic school, and how occasionally if you were out of line you may have received a slap on the wrist with a ruler from what she described as a cross nun.

Lucille continued to grow and flourish under her parent’s great love and tutelage and soon moved the United States to attend the prestigious University of Southern California, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology.  After graduating from USC, Lucille and her parents returned home to the Philippines. Lucille was introduced to the gospel and converted while living in the Philippines. Lucille later married Anthony Douglas Amata on November 10, 1967 and of that marriage there were 5 children- Matthew Michael Amata, Stephen Anthony Amata, David Daniel Amata, Joseph Amata (deceased), and Ariel Rose Amata. Lucille’s children meant everything to her. She spent most of her life working hard to provide for and support them in various employment opportunities, eventually, settling into a lifelong career as a medical transcriptionist.

As her children grew up and left home Lucille was able to spend many years as a temple ordinance worker in both the Provo Temple and then later the Mount Timpanogos Temple. She spoke often and so fondly of how much joy her temple service brought to her. She was never happier in life than when she was serving her Lord and Master in the temple or spending time with her children or grandchildren.

Lucille was such a nurturing mother and grandmother.  Often, her children would tease her that their children preferred her company as grandma than that of their own parents because of how much love and devotion she showed to them. Lucille doted on her grandchildren giving them treats and goodies in addition to her love, snuggles and devotion.

Lucille was not a gregarious person and did not enjoy time amongst large crowds.  If you were fortunate enough to know her on an individual level, then you were blessed to have a friendship that was truly a pearl of great price.  Lucille, much like a pearl, had been refined through years of hardships and trials. She never complained  and was always meek and submissive to whatever fire her Heavenly Father chose necessary in order to refine her sweet, strong and enduring soul. All the while she remained patient and glorified God.

Lucille had a brilliant mind and was a gifted writer. While she was not able to develop and enlarge on this gift earlier in her life, she found great solace and joy in writing later on. She wrote beautiful works of poetry. Oh how Lucille loved poetry and the Psalms of the Bible. She even published some of her poetry in a book before she passed. This is now a greatly treasured work among her family and friends. She was also working on a beautiful novel, a romance based out of the Philippines during World War II before her early passing.

Perhaps the greatest attributes Lucille possessed was that of great faith and seeking to praise and glorify God through her works on this earth. She was always putting others first and being such a stalwart saint and pioneer. She always sought to make sure others needs were put before her own. She was one of the strongest women this earth has had the pleasure of knowing. During her long battle with cancer, she truly never complained, but endured all the Lord saw fit for her refining and benefit with grace and great faith. In her final weeks of radiation treatment, Lucille mentioned that one of the reasons she was so willing to continue fighting was to try to show the mighty power of the Lord in all things.  Lucille’s quiet grace and example touched the lives of many while she underwent her cancer treatment. She left her engraving mark on all those she met often without ever even needing to speak words. Heaven truly gained a valiant powerful angel in her passing.

Lucille is survived by her four children: Matthew (Jan), Sacramento; Stephen (Lisa), Corona; David (Melinda), Ephraim; Ariel (Brant), Pleasant Grove and her sister Aurora Suntay, Layton.

The family wishes to thank all the caregivers at the Huntsman Medical Center and especially the members of the Grove Creek 5th Ward for all their tender care and compassionate service rendered to Lucille and her family over the years.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 475 North 700 East, Pleasant Grove.  A viewing will be held prior to the services at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.  Interment will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.