Diana Cavan Enerio

Born in the Philippines and a proud graduate of the University of Santo Tomas with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Diana was among the first wave of Filipino nurses to make their way to Houston. In 1969, with a one-year contract and a sense of adventure, she left her homeland and landed in Philadelphia. She was told, “Let’s go west.” Some went to California, but Diana chose Houston ...and Houston was all the better for it!

Diana began her nursing career at MD Anderson Cancer Hospital, then moved on to a hospital in Pasadena before finally making the VA Medical Center her professional home for nearly 25 years. As the Team Leader for the ENT Department, she became a respected leader, a reliable colleague, and a source of strength and kindness for both patients and staff.

She had a love for life that was unmatched. She danced in her younger years and traveled to over 40 countries, always eager to learn, experience, and see the world. The last stamp on her passport was from the Netherlands. She was drawn to culture, beauty, and food, especially if it involved mocha cake or coffee ice cream. Her appetite for adventure was legendary: a year after back surgery, she did sky-diving, went white water rafting, and floated in a hot air balloon - all in one weekend!

Diana was deeply religious, and her faith shaped her life in quiet, profound ways. She was generous with her time, her care, and her love - especially to her family. She had a special way of being supportive and dependable, a grounding force whose kindness and generosity left an imprint on all of us.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Canuto and Vicenta Enerio and her beloved sister Helen Litigio. She is survived by a large extended family who adored her, including her siblings; Canunita Edmilao , Zenaida Galicinao, Aurora Cerilles, and Junior Enerio and numerous nieces and nephews in the Philippines, USA, Australia and Canada. She was lovingly cared for in her final chapter by Albert, LecLec, KC, Ryan, Tong, Jhun, Gel, and Cenia, whose dedication and compassion brought her great comfort.

She was deeply loved by her closest friends: Elvie and Rey, Lorna and Efren, Cotie, Pepot, Rosalind, Cenia, Melen, Nelson, Anja, Cho, Gemma, and many more friends from the VA Hospital who were like family to her.

Diana was, in every sense, a pillar of strength, grace, and love. We will miss her steady presence, her laughter, and her faith. But we carry her spirit forward in every mocha cake we eat, every passport stamp we earn, every prayer we whisper, every Bee Gees song we listen to, and every act of quiet generosity we offer in her name.

Thank you, Tita Di. For everything.