Dolores Halog Milo passed away peacefully on July 17, 2019 at the age of 96. In her final days, she was surrounded by the love of her family just as she was during her life. She was born on October 18, 1922 in Tubao, La Union, Philippines, and was the daughter of the late Basilio and Filomena Halog. She was a devout Catholic and a long-time member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia Beach. Along with her three siblings, she joins her beloved husband, Atty. Juan G. Milo, in eternal rest.
Dolores, affectionately called “Mama” by family and friends, believed in the value of education and devoted her professional life to being a teacher. She earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in home economics from Philippine Normal College and Far Eastern University in Manila, Philippines. Mama taught students at Pura V. Kalaw Elementary School in Quezon City, Philippines before immigrating to the United States in 1980. She continued her own education and graduated with an Associate’s degree from Tidewater Community College and served as a substitute teacher for Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
Mama loved dancing, music and playing the piano with Over the Waves and Bahay Kubo being her favorite pieces. She enjoyed hosting and cooking for others and was famous for her pineapple-upside-down-cake and leche flan. Gardening was one of her favorite things to do and her roses made her happy each year. Growing up as the daughter of a mayor, Mama loved attention and had sophistication, class and great taste. She made sure that the world saw the best of her and was always nicely dressed with her hair and make-up done. She especially liked light yellow, which came to be her signature color. Above all, Mama will be remembered as a tough, smart, strong-willed woman with both a sharp tongue and generous heart.
Perhaps Mama’s greatest joy and achievement was the family she raised with her husband, Papa, whom she married on October 29, 1947. Together, they pursued a dream to provide a life for their children that was better than their own. She would tell any stranger that she was the proud mother of “8 boys and 2 girls.” To cherish her memory are her 10 children and spouses, Juan H. Milo, Jr. (Yoko), Jose H. Milo (Gracia), Jaime H. Milo (Estrellita), Jorge H. Milo (Elenita), Jesus H. Milo (Julia), Josephine Milo Atienza (Bert), Jason H. Milo (Evangeline), Thomas H. Milo (Annabella), Julie Milo McLaughlin (Calvin) and Raul H. Milo (Isabel). She was also a loving “Lola” to her legacy of 24 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Additionally, she will be remembered by the many extended family members and friends who called Mama their own. Mama will be forever missed but will remain forever in our hearts.
The family will receive visitors at Smith & Williams Funeral Home at 4889 Princess Anne Road in Virginia Beach on Thursday, July 25, 2019 and Friday, July 26, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church at 1396 Lynnhaven Parkway in Virginia Beach on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Colonial Grove Memorial Park.
The family of Dolores H. Milo would like to express their sincere gratitude to all of her nurses and caregivers especially the staff at Virginia Beach Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center and Heartland Home Health Care & Hospice.
