Teresita "Tessie" Kasilag

Teresita “Tessie” Navarro Kasilag, 88, of Dumont, NJ passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 21st, 2025. Beloved wife of Ramon Kasilag. Devoted mother of Maria (Sam) & Ronald (Rebecca). Dear sister of Maria Luisa, Lourdes, Milagros, Norma, Susan, Rodolfo, Angelito, Apollo, Robin, Norma Buhain. Loving lola/grandmother of Ryan, Adam, Natalia, & Hazel.

Born in Manila, Philippines to Appolonio Peralta Navarro and Paciencia Berceno. Teresita was raised by her father and stepmother, Rosalina Riviera Buhain. She earned her medical degree from Far Eastern University, Manila in 1966. She was an obstetrician-gynecologist at the University Hospital of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Eventually, she stepped back from her medical career to prioritize her role in managing the household, nurturing her family, church and community.

Tessie lived in Hillsdale, NJ for 22 years and Dumont, NJ for 28 years. A devout Catholic and active parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church in Hillsdale NJ, she served as a member of The Rosary Altar Society. As a church choir member, she also gave her beautiful voice, enriching prayer and worship at Holy Mass.

Teresita enjoyed cooking, sharing her Filipino meals and carrot cake with friends and family. She was an avid gardener, growing delicious vegetables, thriving flowers and plants. Tessie was known for her spiritual strength, loving heart, and generosity. She

greeted all with a gentle kind beautiful smile.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, 10/24/2025 (3:00 pm - 7:00 pm) at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ.

A Mass celebrating Teresita’s life and faith will be held on Saturday, 10/25/2025 (10:00 am) at St John the Baptist 69 Valley St, Hillsdale, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Retirement Fund for Religious https://retiredreligious.org