Mercedes R (Duhaylongsod) Howard

Mercedes “Mercy” R. Howard  of Torrington was born in Ewa Beach, Hawaii on January 24, 1943.  Mrs. Howard passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Sunday, October 8, 2017 in the B11S Unit at Hartford Hospital.  She was united in marriage to Richard L. Howard on November 10, 1973 in Sharon, Connecticut.  They were married for 44 years.  Mrs. Howard worked for Aerospace (Litchfield, CT); then drove Candy Striper Buses and “The Blue Mongoose” for years at Kelly Services in Torrington; then finally worked for the USPS (Torrington, CT) before becoming disabled in 1986.  She loved bowling, hunting, and fishing w/her husband; softball, volleyball, cooking, crocheting, word search, and calling family/friends on every special occasion and holiday or just to say she was thinking of you.  A Life Member of the VFW Auxiliary and the VFW National Home for Children, she was the 5th District President and State Soloist for the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, as well as VFW Auxiliary President to the Torrington VFW Post #9086 for 20 years; overall she supported and entertained our veterans for over 30 years.  She was an amazingly talented singer/musician, bringing her ukulele everywhere she went.  She so openly shared her love of life, love of family, and love of music with all who crossed paths with her, right up to her passing.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Bernadita Yoro (Waipahu, HI); her father, Leon Duhaylongsod (Kauai, HI); her sisters: Judith Hopfe (Kona, HI), Carlotta Peterson, Linda Rose, and Edwina Limasa (Waipahu, HI); her brothers: Leon Duhaylongsod, Jr. and Lawrence Duhaylongsod (Kauai, HI); her son, Aaron Ugbinada (CA); her daughter, Renee Ugbinada (HI); and her granddaughter, Zoe Garnett (Torrington).  She is survived by her husband, Richard L. Howard; her children and spouses: Dana Ugbinada, Russell (Kelly) Ugbinada (FL), Paulette (Mark) Tedesco, Lorna (Rob) Zeller (OH), Roxanne Ugbinada, Georgiana (Mike) DeFilio, and Maxine Howard- (Dallon) Garnett; 14 loving grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; sisters: Lucille Oga (HI), Camela Rose (WV), and Ramona Tolentino (MO), Mary Duhaylongsod Chatterly (Kapaa, HI), Lelene Duhaylongsod Bay (Kona, HI), Rhoda Duhaylongsod (Wailua, HI), Dorean Duhaylongsod (Kapaa, HI); and brother, Jonathan Yoro (CA).  The family will greet friends from 5:00-7:00 pm on Thursday, October 12, 2017 at Phalen Funeral Home, 285 Migeon Avenue, Torrington, CT.  A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, October 13, 2017, at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 31 Oak Street, Winsted, CT.  Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery, 76 Walnut Street, Torrington, CT.  In lieu of flowers, condolences may be sent to 44 Eggleston Street, Torrington, CT 06790 or memorial donations can be made to: VFW National Home for Children, 3573 S Waverly Road, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827.