Lourdes L. G. Atoigue

Lourdes Leon Guerrero Atoigue, 66, died peacefully in her home in Bremerton on August 21, 2013....Romans 5:3-4 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience hope....and Philippians 3:14 "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Lourdes, "Lou" Atoigue was born to Mariano Duenas and Ana Naputi Leon Guerrero on April 10, 1947 in Inarajan, Guam. She was one of fourteen children, and the third to join our Father in Heaven. Lou was a 1966 graduate from George Washington High School, Guam. In the late 60s, she met a young man named Francisco "Frank" Taimanglo Atoigue. While dating, Frank volunteered for the United States Army, and a few years later, he served in the Vietnam War. Upon his return from the war, Lou and Frank married on January 31,1970. They left the tiny island of Guam and arrived in Okinawa where Ann Grace, her first child would be born. Following tours in Okinawa, Japan, Fort Lewis, WA, and Fort Bliss, TX, Lou and Frank would ultimately find their final destination in Washington State where Lou fell in love with its beauty and serenity. There, her second child, Teresa was born in 1977. Frank then joined the Army National Guard and began work at PSNS as a crane operator where he retired from both respectively. Lou worked for Naval Hospital Bremerton as a medical clerk for the Pharmacy Department where she spent the next 20+ years working until her retirement in December 2012.

Lou was a devout and faithful Catholic and servant of the Lord. She volunteered many of her days at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Bremerton. She was also a faithful wife, mother, and grandmother. Ann and Teresa gave her four wonderful grandchildren whom she loved unconditionally: Josaiah Francisco, 17, Brandon Ray 13, Carmen Jace, 11, Andrew Isias, 8. Her loyalty and devotion to her family was limitless. She made every effort to attend track meets, baseball games, lacrosse tournaments, and school concerts. She was present at every birthday, bringing favorite dishes and deserts including red rice, sweet tatiyus, spinach dip, pistachio cake, and her very famous Polynesian desert cake. She loved to bake, collect coins and gifted with crafts....she was a very talented and creative seamstress. She loved family tradition and culture and spent her life teaching her kids all that she knew.

Little does anyone know, aside from her immediate family and friends, that Lou suffered from two very distinct types of degenerative arthritis. It was a hereditary condition that she was diagnosed with at an early age. She was physically challenged each day. But that is what made Lou so special, and why she was so strong. A private lady, she would often be ashamed to bring to light these serious conditions. In 1999, Lou was diagnosed with Hepatitis C following a surgical procedure for her arthritis which required a blood transfusion done in the 80's. The blood transfusion was later found to be faulty. For the next 14 years she would suffer from both arthritis, and Hepatitis C. Undeterred, she was resilient, and fought valiantly each day. She fought as hard and as long as she could and underwent every treatment possible. In June 2013, the disease would prove too difficult and stubborn to keep fighting. Lou made the decision to see it through till the end. She refused to take any medications that doctors prescribed that would help prolong her life. For the next two and a half months, she courageously battled the disease without the help of medications, until she could no longer battle. On the morning of August 21, 2013, in her home of 31 years, she took her last breath, and joined her mother and father in Heaven. This very sensitive and private story has never been told. However, because of the woman she was, and the woman she still is, it's important that we all know of her strength, courage, and love of life and her family.

Lou will live on forever in our hearts...her spirit, her grace, her radiance is felt in our lives daily. She is survived by husband Frank, daughters Ann and Teresa, son-in-laws Ray and Dennis, and grandchildren Josaiah, Brandon, Carmen, Andrew, and step granddaughter Jessica.

Siblings…Pat & Ignacio Reyes, Guam; Lola & Darrell Howton, WA; Anita & Ely Manacop, PI; Margaret & Steve Hilderbrand, Guam; Winnie & Gus Taitague, Guam; Ralph & Marilyn Leon Guerrero, Guam; Joe & Bobbie Leon Guerrero, Guam; Mariano & JoAnn Leon Guerrero, TX; Bernie Nikalaus, Guam; Ling & Jose Quitugua, Guam; and Terry & David Kennimer, Guam. Numerous nieces, nephews, God children, Mali and Pare's in Guam and throughout the US.

Best friend, Mali and sister Pat Quichocho and family. Claretta, Mike, and Anicia Wakita; Celina, Elias, Tiara, Tarina, Alex, and Vince Sablan; Chris, Megumi, Koichi, Kohana, and Kahtai Castro; BJ, Lindsey, and Nola Quichocho; Friend and cousin Chi Sablan and family. Close niece Joyce, Craig, Caylene, and Celine Eddings. Though we mourn her death and miss her dearly, we can now celebrate her everlasting life in Heaven. She will look upon us and watch us each day as we gained a new guardian Angel. We celebrate the life of Lourdes Leon Guerrero Atoigue.

I am home in Heaven, dear ones. Oh, so happy and so bright!

There is perfect joy and beauty in this Everlasting Light.

All the pain and grief are over! Every restless yearning past,

I am now at peace forever, safely Home in Heaven at last.

Dear one, do not grieve so sorely, for I love you dearly still.

Try to look beyond earth's shadow, pray to trust our Father's Will.