Lila Valencia Lusung

Born on March 17, 1928 in Bamban, Tarlac, Philippines

Lila grew up in Bamban, Tarlac and at a young age she actively participated in church activities like Sunday School, Daily Vacation Bible School, and District Rallies. As she was growing up, she was fascinated by the Deaconesses, playing the organ or piano, singing, and preaching. She loved hanging out with them. After the invasion of the Japanese in 1945, Pastor Ricardo Del Rosario offered her to live with them and help with the chores while attending high school. She was so excited to go back to school.

After a year, she transferred to the famous Methodist dorm and an educational facility in San Fernando, Pampanga at the Edna Thomas Hall where Ms. Marion Walker, an American Missionary and church workers were residents. After high school she wanted to be a Deaconess. She enrolled at Harris Memorial School in 1949 and graduated in 1952 with a major in Christian Education.

Her first appointment was in San Simon and Apalit, Pampanga from 1952-1954, second was in San Fernando, Pampanga in 1955, then in Angeles City, Pampanga in 1956. In 1957, she went back to San Fernando, and 1958, she went to Tarlac. All church members in San Fernando loved her so much that they requested her to come back in 1961. In between her church assignments from 1958-1960, the UMC Women's Division of the Philippines gave her a scholarship to further her studies in music at the University of the Philippines (UP) Conservatory of Music, Major in Voice and Minor in Piano. This is where she had an enriching experience in the Opera of Stars and professional musicians. She was also involved in a Classical Opera and other musical events. She later returned to Angeles City in 1962 where she retired.

She met her future husband, Jun Lusung thru his sister, Alelita, a fellow Deaconess. Jun seriously pursued her and married her on May 23, 1962. Starting a family and having children, (Melody, Lilibeth Joy, and Julison) did not stop her from pursuing her education and finished her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education at the Republic Central College (RCC) in Angeles City, and with all her previous schooling credits, she completed her course in 2 years. She also earned her Master's degree in Education from the Angeles University (AU) and later she taught college courses in RCC and AU. Additionally, she became an Elementary School Teacher where she first taught grade one students and eventually taught grade six students. She also taught them how to sing. Aside from teaching, she organized a choir of Teachers where they performed in concerts and joined singing competitions. Her passion in music and teaching led her to become the Music Division Supervisor for the Angeles City School District where she later retired from.

Lila and Jun migrated to the United States in 2000 to join their son, Jayvee and his family. She helped raise their grandchildren while Jayvee and Jen were busy making a living. She loved living in the California and here she joined a Fil-Am Church community and was in choir until, due to health reasons, she could not sing much anymore. She loved getting together with the Southern California Deaconesses for meetings and fellowships.

We praise God for her life, touching lives of friends and families thru her singing.

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Lila Valencia Lusung, age 92, of Chula Vista, California passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2021.

Lila was born on March 17, 1928.

A visitation for Lila will be held Saturday, February 6, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Glen Abbey's Little Chapel of the Roses, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.glenabbeysandiego.net for the Lusung family.