One of the kindest ladies I know is Beth Dizon Hoban. She has always been ready with a helping hand to whoever is in need and making a difference whenever possible.
Right after her Maryknoll high school graduation in 1967 she moved to the US to take up nursing in Chicago upon the prodding of her mother who felt that the future of nursing was much better in America as there were many opportunities for professional growth. She immediately fell in love with her classmate’s brother, Jim Hoban, and they married when she was 19 years old. Graduating as a nurse and giving birth to her firstborn, Jamie, was not an easy combination but Beth buckled down to work as a labor and delivery nurse and also taught expectant parent classes in one of the largest teaching hospitals — Christ Evangelical Medical Center in Oaklawn, Illinois.
After getting tired of the severe Chicago winters and constantly shoveling snow from their driveway to get to work, the couple moved to Hawaii where it would be easier to raise a family with the gentle people and a similarity in the weather and culture of the Philippines that Beth was used to. Eventually earning a Master’s in business, Beth continued to be active in the health profession by founding Prime Care Services Hawaii, a licensed Medicare-certified home health agency that provides skilled nursing, physical/occupational/speech therapy, medical social services and home health aide services for patients in their own homes. In a state that has a huge number of senior citizens and sick patients who live alone, Prime Care is the perfect solution as home visits are not covered by Medicare and other health insurance.
Not content with having a thriving business that has helped so many, Beth is active in a large number of volunteer organizations and is currently the president of the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset, which supports many community projects in the Philippines and partners with the local Rotary Clubs of Pasig and Atimonan. This is her way of giving back to her country and making a difference in our world.
During the recent Maryknoll/Miriam Alumni Homecoming, the Class of 1967 celebrated their sapphire anniversary and proudly presented their classmate Beth Dizon Hoban as an Amazing Alumni Achiever to add to the school roster of remarkable graduates whose life and work add to the prestige of their beloved alma mater. The Triple A award recognizes the distinctive Maryknoll spirit of independent-mindedness, social concern, creative expression and compassion for others which has quietly transformed Philippine society and the world.
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When Jenny Dayrit Leviste celebrated her birthday, she wanted to do it with only two small groups in one of the newest Japanese restaurants in the Ortigas area — Mangetsu. One was the Assumption classmates who have been with her since they were wee little girls and their friendships have lasted through life’s cycles. The other group was her husband, Joey Leviste’s, Ateneo classmates and their wives who make it a point to meet regularly throughout the year. It was an evening of happy banter, good friends and laughter — a perfect way to commemorate a natal day.
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For comments and ideas, e-mail jacinto.fa@gmail.com