The matriarch died Saturday (16 November 2019) or exactly one week after the passing of her husband, the late tycoon John Gokongwei Jr.

She was 85.

“The Palace is saddened by the passing of Mrs. Elizabeth Gokongwei yesterday, November 16, just one week after the death of her husband, John,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a prepared statement Sunday (17 November 2019).

The family matriarch was duly recognized by Malacañang on her philanthropic works as member of the Board of Trustees of the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation which poured millions of pesos to promote science and education in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Gokongweis’ son, Lance, described his mother as  “the heart and soul of the Gokongwei family.”

On the other hand, eldest daughter Robina, remembered her mother how she thinks about everyone else in the family first before herself adding that to their late father, Elizabeth stood as his “ally in happiness.”

“A gentle, loving, kind, caring and selfless human being Mrs Elizabeth was. She will be dearly missed,” Malacañang said. (IAMIGO/CNS)