Obituaries

Minda Torio Sumera, 57, passed away under the care of her husband, Victor, and son Paolo, on Sunday, November 21, 2021, in their home in Quincy MA, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Minda was born in Ogbong Viga, Catanduanes, Philippines on November 25,1963 to father Maximino and mother Teresita Torio. Minda grew up in a large loving family, as the oldest sister of nine siblings, Minda helped raise many of her younger brothers and sisters.

Minda met her husband Victor Sumera, in Manila, Philippines, while attending university and Victor was serving in the US Navy. On January 11, 1986, Minda and Victor married and adopted one of Minda’s younger brothers, Maximino, before moving to Dorchester, MA. In 1988, upon Victor’s discharge from the US Navy. After a short time in NYC, Victor and Minda set up permanent roots in Quincy, MA, and shortly after, they welcomed their son Paolo into this world in 1994.

Minda’s love and support for those close to her was endless. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother to her husband, children and grandchildren, and an anchor of hope and support for all of her siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends. She helped her family in the Philippines obtain degrees, start careers in medicine, provided financial and moral support for medical emergencies, and afforded them with better livelihoods and life opportunities: Minda had a tremendous impact on her family and the lives of the people that knew and loved her.

There are countless memories of gatherings at Minda’s home, where delicious Filipino food filled everyone’s bellies, waves of laughter from jokes and teasing spread from room to room, and tripping over those beloved dogs could happen anywhere in the house. Minda was creative and loved many things, including a keenness to the color purple, endless tending to her plants and flowers, especially orchids, in every room and outside in her garden. In her last two years, while fighting the side effects of chemo and radiation, Minda still found time to find a new hobby in making beautiful decorative holiday wreaths.

Before retiring due to health complications, Minda led and built a team at the Children’s Hospital Boston Department of Laboratory Support Services for 28 years. During her time there, Minda’s choices and actions inspired others to learn more, do more, and to pursue greater academic achievements: Minda led her team with excellence, understanding, love and compassion.

Minda is survived by her loving husband Victor Sumera; adopted son Maximino Sumera and wife Ruijie, son Paolo Sumera and partner Mayu Aoki; grandchildren Caylee and Wyatt Sumera; brother Jose Torio and his wife Josephine, sister Daisy Tabilog and her husband Honorato, sister Maricris Tumala and her husband Allan, sister Ma.Fe Illumin and Ricardo, brother Ansly Torio and his wife Malou, sister Maria Teresa Valledor and her husband Joel, sister Melanie Torio, and brother Benigno Torio; many nieces and nephews, and her two beloved dogs Cocoa and Chloe.

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Minda’s life at Dennis Sweeny Funeral Home; 74 Elm St. Quincy MA; Monday, November 29th from 4-8 pm. Minda’s funeral mass will take place at Saint Joseph’s Parish; 550 Washington St, Quincy, MA, Tuesday, November 30 at 10:00 am with reception to follow at the Bay Pointe Restaurant located at 64 Washington Court, Quincy, MA

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Minda’s name to the Boston Children’s Hospital online at Donate Today – Boston Children’s Hospital.