Luisa V. Santos' Obituary
Luisa Valenciano Santos passed away on her 73rd birthday on October 10, 2024. She was born on October 10, 1951 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, Philippines.
Luisa immigrated to Chicago in 2005 and recently moved to Tampa in 2019 to begin her retirement.
On March 1, 1974, she married her lifelong partner Wilfredo Santos. From this union, they were blessed with three children: Wyndee, Winnie and Wilson. Their union lasted for 50 years.
Luisa was a devoted member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) and valued her faith above all else.
Luisa was educated at Laguna State Polytechnic University in Santa Cruz, Laguna, where she achieved a degree in sewing and dressmaking. After she completed her studies, Luisa owned her own tailoring business and a small pig farm in Angat, Niugan, Bulacan, while her husband (Wilfredo) worked overseas as a seafarer and she raised their children.
Luisa’s life’s passion was caring for others, family or not, she was always warm and welcoming. She never let anyone leave hungry or empty handed. Her children and grandchildren grew up surrounded by her unconditional love through her home-cooked meals, prepared lunches, gifts and constant support and care.
Upon her arrival to the U.S., sewing grew to be one of Luisa‘s favorite pastimes. She enjoyed sewing clothes and accessories for her family, and spent hours on end at her sewing machine. Luisa also loved to cook and bake, the pleasant scents of her homemade cooking often matched her welcoming energy, smile, and presence. Her signature recipe was hopia (the Filipino version of a moon cake) and she would often bring the dish to gatherings, where family and friends enjoyed her charm and grace.
When Luisa wasn’t in the kitchen, she could be found gardening and tending to her plants as if they were her children. She held great pride in her many home-grown harvests, including calamansi, tomatoes, ube, pineapple, string beans, and sugar apples. Upon harvest, she always made it a priority to share her goods with others.
Luisa’s dedication to serve was never more apparent than during her final moments, in which she tragically passed as she helped pick up debris and care for nursing home residents at her family’s Tampa property in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
Luisa is survived by her husband Wilfredo Santos: 3 Children: Wyndee (Jun), Winnie (Jonathan) and Wilson (Lourdes). 5 Grandchildren: Aira, Brent Nickole, Kirsten Dior, Arison Richard and Annalou. Father-in-law: Marcelino Santos. 3 Brothers: Isagani Valenciano, Carlos Valenciano and Pilar V. Cayos. 3 Sisters: Melicinda Valenciano, Maxima V. Paner and Adela V. Cabrera.
Luisa was preceded in death by her parents Amado Valenciano and Liberata P. Valenciano. Mother-in-law Liberata L. Santos. 1 Brother: Elpidio Valenciano. 1 Sister: Irenea V. Maganito.
Thank you for all your help and support during this difficult time for our family. We really appreciate it!
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