Virginia Ocampo Rosas

Born and raised in the Philippines, daughter of Mariano and Elena Ocampo. She married Nestor Ranches Rosas in the Philippines on December 6, 1958.

Immediately after the wedding, Nestor left Virginia behind to find work and a home for his new bride in the United States. Over a year later, Virginia arrived in the USA. It was the day after Christmas, December 26,1959 that she flew into LAX, carrying only their 3-month-old baby (Susan), one piece of luggage…and never looked back. Nestor picked up his little family and headed south to San Diego to begin their American Dream.

Virginia and Nestor settled in south Chula Vista, CA The family grew quickly in this home. Rose, Nestor, Jr. and Linda were born soon after. Virginia began to understand and speak English, she also became acclimated to the luxuries of an American home to include indoor plumbing refrigerators and ovens! In 1965, the Rosas family bought their first and only home and moved to Imperial Beach. It was here that she attended naturalization classes to receive her US citizenship and where the Rosas’ would raise their children

One thing the couple did not agree on was that Nestor did not want his wife to work.

Virginia was an independent and stubborn woman and always worked, night or day shifts. She was a housekeeper, a certified nurse assistant, worked at the Bumble Bee tuna factory cleaning fish (graveyard shift), and one of her favorite jobs was an associate at Target, from where she eventually retired. Although she didn’t smoke cigarettes, she could sometimes be found sitting on a curb outside the store (at Palomar & Broadway) with co-workers taking a “smoke break”.

Nestor, Sr. found residence at Veteran’s Home of CA - Chula Vista. She went every day to be with her husband for many years. She became widowed in July 2008. After 2 years, Virginia went back to the Veteran’s Home as a volunteer. For nearly a decade, she was welcoming and friendly face at the cafeteria. But Virginia endeavored to do more for the Veteran’s Home besides seating guests and signed herself up for computer class at Norman Park Senior Center with the hope of getting a “desk job”.

The Norman Park Senior Center is where she met and found her best friend and companion, Leo Boco.

Mr. Boco and Virginia had a wonderful and full friendship which lasted over a decade, that included dancing, walking at the Zoo and beach, Tai Chi and cooking Filipino food. His family has become an extension of the Rosas clan.

Virginia was a proud and stern matriarch but created a warm and loving home where the doors were always open to the family, extended family, all neighbors, and friends. Anyone that has met Virginia has been ordered to “Eat! Come and EAT!” Feeding people (and dogs) was her love language. If Virginia ever fed you, you have felt her love. She set a high bar for the ladies in the family as she never left the house unless she was dressed beautifully, accessorized and most often, with a flower in her ear.

She is predeceased by her daughter, Rose and husband, Nestor Sr. She is survived by her son, Nestor Jr, and daughters Susan and Linda. Also, seven grandchildren and three great-granddaughters.

Services for Virginia will be held at Glen Abbey

Visitation: Thursday, July 14. 5-9. Magnolia Room

Church Service: Friday, July 15. 1:30 Little Chapel of the Roses.

Burial: Glen Abbey. 2:30

She would like to see a flower in your ear, as well.