Dr. Nora B. Del Rosario

Dr. Nora Bautista Del Rosario, age 85, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2025, at her home in Dix Hills, NY with family by her side. During her lifetime, Nora nurtured and inspired many around her. She will be remembered for her faith, strength, resilience, humility and optimism.

Born in 1939 in bustling Pasay City, Manila, Philippines, Nora was the youngest daughter of nine children raised single handedly by her mother (Florentina), a widowed schoolteacher. At 5 years old, Nora lost her father (Remigio), an optometrist as well as a Filipino Guerrilla allied with the U.S. Armed Forces, during World War II. Upon his death, the U.S. provided educational benefits for one child. Nora wanted to be a nun, flight attendant, secretary or concert pianist. Always the practical one who listened to her mother (also, she did not meet airline height requirements at the time), Nora chose the path that required the most years of study – medicine. Her education, together with her tireless work ethic and determination, helped her achieve her dream of owning a station wagon, among other successes.

It may be because she was the youngest daughter of 9 siblings that Nora was accustomed to being the center of attention. Nora was crowned “Miss Pasay City Red Cross 1963,” receiving over half of the nearly 600,000 votes cast among 5 candidates. In medical school, Nora was elected as class “Muse,” a role where, donning a sash and high heels (and escorted by handsome classmates), she was essentially a school mascot to cheer on the basketball team and boost morale. Glitz and glamour of beauty pageants aside, Nora was a modest, stoic woman who often said, “Be humble!” and who prioritized time with close friends and family.

Medical degree (M.D., Far Eastern University, 1964) in hand, Nora immigrated solo to the U.S. in 1965, where she lived the quintessential life of a single girl in the city while completing her residency in Pediatrics at various New York metropolitan area hospitals. She recalled working around the clock as a resident, but she also enjoyed exploring her new country driving around in her yellow Mustang convertible. She welcomed people from many walks of life and easily met friends and cultivated strong relationships, including with many fellow pioneer Filipino and other non-U.S. born doctors who were part of her community for the rest of her life. Through that network, Nora met her husband, Teodoro (Teddy), and they were married in 1969 at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Manhasset, NY (where they also celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2019). Nora and Teddy left New York City and settled down on suburban Long Island.

Known affectionately as “Dr. Del” by her patients and colleagues, Nora practiced medicine for 38 years, including as a primary care physician caring for intellectually disabled persons, and later in her career, caring for persons with substance use disorder. Nora was a devoted "Lola", cooking pancakes with Henry and Julian, attending their musical recitals, encouraging them to read, and advising them to “reach for the stars!”. Nora was also known for her green thumb and tended her garden from dawn to dusk, pruning her favorite Knock Out roses and watching the seasonal blooms unfold (in her words) “like an orchestra.”

Some of Nora’s favorite expressions were “I was born ready!” and “I’m a Girl Scout!”. No doubt these mantras helped her persevere breast cancer for more than two decades (twice as long as her doctors predicted). A week before a recurrence at age 75, Nora parasailed above the beaches of Boracay, Philippines, one of many trips she took after retiring from medicine in 2003. In her final weeks, Nora provided much light and warm hospitality by gathering loved ones around the grand piano a few more times. She also found much comfort in her strong Catholic faith and prayer (Mother Angelica was a role model).

Nora is survived by her children (Valerie Del Rosario, Michellene (Todd) Jaeger, Dr. Michael (Arlene) Del Rosario); grandchildren (Henry and Julian Jaeger, Zachary and Jacob Del Rosario); brothers and sisters (Ernesto, Purificacion, Pacita, Lolita), and many loving nieces, nephews and extended family across the globe. Nora was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 52 years (Dr. Teodoro Baytan Del Rosario) and brothers and sisters (Arturo, Remigio, Jr., Rosario, Natividad).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 10:45am at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church, 35 N. Service Rd., Dix Hills, NY 11746. There will be a private burial of ashes. The family will plan a celebration of Nora’s life for a later date at their convenience.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial gift to any philanthropic organization of your choice in Nora’s honor, including organizations that share her passions such as education and the Catholic faith.