Felipa R. Marroquin, age 85, of Falls Church, Virginia passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2023. She was born on May 9, 1937, in Puerto San Jose, Escuintla, Guatemala. Felipa was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Felipa was preceded in death by her son Hugo, her mother Adela Rivera, and her maternal grandparents who raised her until they passed away. She is survived by her daughter Miriam, grandchildren Mark, Claudia, and Carlos; great-grandsons Diego, William, Benjamin, and Theodore; son-in-law Gene, former son-in-law, and father to her grandchildren, Gustavo; and her grandchildren’s spouses, Christian, Catherine, and Keren, as well as extended family and friends.
Felipa’s journey to the USA began in 1967 when she left Guatemala to work as a nanny with a diplomatic family, leaving her two young children behind. After the family returned to Guatemala, Felipa stayed behind working as a caretaker. She worked diligently, saving enough money to return to Guatemala to bring Miriam and afterward Hugo to join her in Virginia. About a year after Hugo arrived, he passed away tragically in a car accident. Though she was devastated she found the courage to keep going. She would later work as a cook and eventually opened her own housecleaning business. With very little English she managed to successfully run this business for about 25 years until she officially retired due to health complications. Even though she was of retirement age, if she could, she would have worked forever. This was something everyone admired in her, as well as her determination to stay as independent as possible despite her disability.
Felipa loved watching old movies and television shows, “novelas”, and listening to music. She enjoyed a good steak and lobster, had a voracious sweet tooth, especially for donuts and Oreos, and could not go a day without her very hot tea with milk. Felipa was passionate about her plants, lovingly watering them while saying kind words to them. She was a caring friend, keeping in touch often. More than anything she cherished every moment, holiday, and milestone with her family.
Felipa will be remembered for her infectious laugh, her gentle nature, her witty sense of humor, and the deep love she had for her family. Felipa, known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as Abuelita and Tita, had a way of making each one feel like they were her favorite even though she loved everyone the same. Felipa will be missed tremendously by her family and friends.
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