Leila was born on April 21, 1955, in Bacolod City, Philippines. A graduate of a Catholic high school - La Consolacion College year 1971 and a graduate of bachelor’s degree in nursing at Riverside College year 1976. She is loved by countless friends because of her kind heart, infectious laugh, and great sense of humor, and is loved by her family and relatives due to her deep sense of caring and generosity.
After her failed marriage, she came to the USA in 1990 as a registered nurse and worked in Brooklyn Jewish Medical Center for a few years, and became a dialysis nurse in Southern Manhattan Dialysis in NYC. She ended her career in nursing in 2015 at Genesis Health Care Center in Danbury CT. She was a great nurse and cared for her patients with compassion, kindness, and laughter.
Speaking of being a nurse, she knew exactly what she wanted. She overcame thyroid cancer in 2012, kidney cancer in 2009 with remission in 2013 and 2019, and overcame Covid 19 twice in 2020. She was a trooper and a fighter. She was a diabetic with kidney disease but that did not stop her from living the life that she wanted, and that did not stop her from enjoying her cookery expertise, having been to culinary school, cooking and baking was her passion. Good food satisfied her soul.
She is survived by her brother Vicente Arnaldo Evangelista “Nonoy” of the Philippines, sister-in-law Susie, niece Aika and family in UAE, nephew Miko, Chino, and Iggy. Beloved niece Claudine Russomanto of Danbury CT whom she considered her daughter, sister-in-law Annie and niece Andrea, and family of New Jersey and nephew Zeno. She is predeceased by her parents Arnaldo and Carmelita Evangelista and brothers Teodoro “Bong” Evangelista and Jose Maria “Nene” Evangelista.
Leila will be remembered as someone who loved her family and relatives. She kept them close to her heart. And she will be remembered as a caring and thoughtful friend who has always stayed in touch even with those she hasn’t seen in years. To some, she may have a tough personality, but she has a kind and generous soul deep within. She is a friend and acquaintance to many and a dear loved one to her family. She lived her life the way she wanted until the end, and she will be greatly missed.
Special thanks to all the nurses, CNAs and all the staff of Genesis Saint John Paul for their tremendous care, she is very grateful for the compassion and kindness she received and has kept you all in her heart. Many thanks to season’s hospice for being involved in her final moments.
A visitation for Maria Leila will be held Saturday, July 31, 2021, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St, Danbury, Connecticut 06810, followed by a memorial service at 3:00 PM.
No viewing per her request. She wants your memory of her when she was still alive.
Bereavement luncheon to follow and will be announced separately.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to her charity of choice Breast Cancer Foundation | Susan G. Komen®. And St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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