Raquel V. Villalon

5/13/57-1/2/11

We mourn the loss of our angel here on earth. Raquel Villalon died of pancreatic cancer on Sunday morning, after several months of battling the cruel disease. She was 53.

The diagnosis of her illness came as a shock to those who knew and remembered her as a compassionate, hard-working woman, who held two full-time jobs while managing a household and caring for her husband and three kids.

As dire as her situation was, Raquel never lost her faith in the Lord. She continued to pray for healing for herself and for her loved ones, remaining devoted and steadfast to the very end.

Raquel was born in 1953 in Cebu, Philippines, the second daughter to Sergio and Virginia Vamenta. She studied nursing at Cebu Velez College, where she became involved in a variety of social activities and graduated at the top of her class. It was during this time she became involved with her lifetime sweetheart, Jing Villalon.

Guided by her mentor, Father Kolk, Raquel studied German and later went off to Winterthur, Switzerland, to work at a hospital. After two years in Europe, she immigrated to the United States to reunite with Jing. The two married on October 31, 1984.

The pair settled in San Diego, California, and quickly started a family. Raquel began working at Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, and soon transferred to Kaiser Permanente, where she worked in the ICU department until she became ill in May of 2010.

In 2001, she also began working at UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest. She tirelessly served the community of San Diego and was a positive impact to all who knew her. As a mentor and inspiration to her fellow nurses, Raquel was chosen by her peers to receive the Daisy Award this past December for being an extraordinary example to others.

Friends describe her as intelligent, loyal, caring, and sweet. Those who knew her best will remember her soft, soothing voice, her warm smile, and her limitless patience and kindness toward others. She was infinitely generous. Indeed, Raquel would always think of others before even considering herself.

She had a love for life that was infectious, born of a desire to embrace the beauty and goodness of the world around her. From spontaneous road trips with her family to European vacations with her co-workers and friends, she was always eager to travel, and encouraged her own children to see the world for themselves. Her uplifting spirit and joyful celebration of love and life will forever be an inspiration to all.

Raquel was loved beyond measure, and will be dearly missed by all those who were blessed to have known her. She really did make the world a better place during her short time on earth.

She is survived by her husband Jing, and her children, Jan, Jourdan, and Jenelle.