Crispina Briones Irabon

Crispina Briones Irabon was born on December 5, 1916, in Numancia, Aklan, Philippines. She was the eldest child who helped raise her eleven siblings, all born to Father, Luciano Briones Sr. and her Mother, Maria Leyson Briones.

She passed peacefully on November 6th, 2021 at the age of 104 years and eleven months in Santa Barbara, California. She was surrounded by loving members of her family. Known to many as “Mama,” she would have reached her 105th birthday on December 5, 2021.

Crispina married Jesus Ibardolaza Irabon in 1936 and they were blessed with six children, Edison, Rose, Winston, Beethoven (deceased), Racel, and Daisy. Throughout their 60-year marriage, she was blessed with 17 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren.

She was a scholar in college and a brilliant school teacher. After retiring in 1976, she immigrated to California and her husband followed two years later.

Crispina and her husband first settled in Fremont, California. They eventually moved to Santa Barbara in 1983 to live with her youngest daughter, son-in-law, and their three children.

Crispina was known for her gentle and quiet spirit, loving kindness, compassion, patience, and humility. She was very supportive of her children’s dreams and ambitions. She had a sincere, caring spirit, and her unconditional love was a constant source of support and inspiration to all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

A viewing and rosary will be held on Thursday, November 18 at 5pm at Welch Ryce Haider Chapel, 15 East Sola Street, Santa Barbara. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, November 19 at 10 am at St. Raphael Church, 5444 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara.

She will be missed by all who knew her.