Socorro M. Bachiller

Socorro Margate Bachiller passed peacefully from this life on Friday, November 14, 2014.  She was born in Nabua, Camarines Sur, Philippines on May 24, 1924.  After surviving the War and the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines, she married Raynero Bachiller, a Chief Petty Offcer in the US Navy on June 26, 1946 in the Philippines and followed him to the United States shortly thereafter.  They settled in Washington DC where her husband served as a chef in the White House for Presidents Truman and Eisenhower.  Their first born was a son Rayfel Margate Bachiller who served in the US Marine Corps for 32 years retiring as a Colonel.  Three years later in June of 1951 they were blessed with the birth of daughter Corinne Marie Bachiller who recently retired from the Federal Government after 38 years.

“Coring”, Socorro’s nickname,  was the consumate wife and homemaker.  Her cooking was on a par with that of her husband in the White house … “he cooked for the First Family … I cooked for the real First  Family… mine!”  Also a professional seamstress she was called to create costumes for local dance studios and even had contracts from various theatrical groups in New York.  Her exacting work earned her high praise for clients worldwide.

Her greatest accomplishments she would say was raising children. She excelled at this and also took on the responsibility of caring for children besides her own for many years.  Quite a few adults today can remember their happy upbringing to her loving care … she was affectionaltey known as “Mama Coring” to dozens of kids.  As her own kids grew and went to college she began working for Woolworth’s Department Stores.  First as a stock clerk and ultimately as a supervisor and regional trainer of local store managers, her sage advice and mature wisdom was highly sought at all levels of management.  She was the standard by which all levels of employees’  performance was measured.

She kept a busy pace and was a founding member of the Ladies Auxiliary 5471 to the VFW of Washington DC.  She organized the Junior Girls Unit and participated in many community and charitable events.  Faithful Catholics, Raynero and Socorro had a spiritaulity that was easily seen by all who witnessed the growth of their family.  A calm peaceful demeanor and constant smile were her trademarks.  She and Raynero shared an unique sense of humor well into their senior years.  They smiled, laughed, and even joked as seniors … making sure that they did not take themselves too seriously.

Just before Christmas Eve in 1990, her husband of 44 years took ill and passed away peacefully, smiling at his “young bride” and his grown kids at his bedside.  Born in 1909 Raynero had lived 81 years when he was laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery in Washington DC.

Since then Socorro focused on keeping herself busy with church and charity and any activity that she could touch.  She was able to travel and to work with elderly individuals and youth.  In addition to being a pro at Mah Jong, she became an avid Bingo player and spent countless hours in the company of many of her Filipino friends visiting various locations to play Bingo.

She continued to live in her home in Washington DC on Chesapeake Street in South West Washington.  She shared this place with her daughter Corinne and grandaughter Angelina Ray.  In recent years she had visited her son and his wife Lisa at their home in Sandy, Utah. Socorro found lots of new friends in Utah … at Saint Thomas More Parish and in the local Ward.  She visited the Fisher House at the VA Hospital, and involved herself with the local Marine Corps League Auxilary and became a Life Member.  Socorro had a fondness for people, places, and especially this country and the freedoms provided by the devotion of those in service to our government.  A husband who retired from the Navy; and a daughter who retired from Federal Service; a son and a daughter in law, both who retired from the Marine Corps… she was proud of all of them… and considered herself most Blessed to live in this nation.

At the youthful age of 90 years while visiting Utah, she embarked upon her final permanent change of station orders in order to join her loving husband Raynero.  They will be together for eternity as she will be buried with him at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Survivors include her son, his wife, and grandson, Ray and Lisa Bachiller and LT Jon Eric Paris, Jr., USN ;  Daughter and Granddaughter, Corinne Marie Bachiller and Angelina Ray Bachiller; her sole surviving sister Ayeth Avelino in the Philippines; the Sains Family, Mating the matriarch and children Edna (Randy) Morton, Cindy Frank, Michael Sains, MaryAnne (Richard Cliff), Richard Sains, Anita (Garry) Echols III and Patty (Tom) Neilon; two adopted sons “J.R.” and Joe who head a long list of folks who will always remember “Mama Coring.”

A Vigil will be held at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church, 3015 Creek Road in Cottonwood Heights on Thursday, November 20^th from 6 to 8 PM.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 21^st at 11:00 AM also at Saint Thomas More.  A reception will follow the Mass in the Family Center.  Interment will take place in Washington DC at Arlington National Cemetery.

Donations to the Fisher House Salt Lake City or Saint Thomas More Parish have been requested in lieu of flowers.