The Palace on Sunday mourned the death of Gokongwei matriarch Elizabeth Yu, a week after the death of her husband of 61 years, tycoon John Gokongwei Jr.
The Gokongwei matriarch was the “other half who helped in realizing the vision and dream of one of the greatest business leaders of our time,” according to Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.
Elizabeth, who died Saturday, “supported the conviction” of one of the country’s billionaires and businessmen, Panelo said.
She was 85.
The tycoon and his wife, whose wake will be private, were survived by their six children.
“We express our deep condolences to—and relay our commiseration with the family particularly her children, Robina, Lance, Lisa, Faith, Hope and Marcia, friends, colleagues, employees, and loved ones,” Panelo said.
Like her husband, Panelo said Elizabeth was also known for her philanthropy as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) where she focused her efforts on providing educational opportunities to underprivileged youth.
One of her projects was the awarding of high school scholarships at her alma mater, St. Stephen’s High School to gifted students in 2012.
She also published the coffee table book “My Angkong’s Noodles” which is a compilation of heirloom recipes wherein the book’s profits went to GBF’s scholarships and educational endowments.