Pacita C. Nagaran

A fighter to the last days of her life, Pacita Cesante Nagaran, 67, of Glendale, Arizona passed away at her home on August 10, 2023, after a ten-year battle with breast cancer. She was surrounded by her family and the oldest grandchildren.

Pacita (Paz) was born on November 2, 1955, to Juan and Trinidad Cesante in Dalaguete, Cebu, Philippines. The fifth of seven living siblings, Paz was closest in age with her older sister, Luz, at times even mistaken as twins. She forged her own unique path, going to school to become the first nurse in the family, inspiring countless others after her. Known to her college classmates as vibrant, energetic, and always smiling, Paz never hesitated to keep a sick friend company at the hospital or sneak away from their dorm director for a night out.

When she turned 19, she faced a test of strength when she and her siblings suddenly lost their mother, Trinidad, in a car accident. After honoring their mother’s life, Paz continued on with her studies and graduated from Velez College of Nursing in 1977 to become a successful nurse. In 1980, she was selected to be part of the initial group of Filipina nurses to move to the United States and began work at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. While there, she roomed with her friends, traveled to the surrounding states, and enjoyed her single life. Her love for fashion grew in her 20s, but in 1982 at a Halloween party, it was a man dressed as Paper Bag Man that caught her attention. Paz and Ricardo (Ric) were both charming in their own ways and they fell in love fast, marrying civilly the following year on March 25, 1983. They resided in Phoenix, Arizona before planting their roots in Glendale to raise their family of three girls.

At St. Joseph’s Hospital, Paz had a reputation of not only being kind and compassionate to her patients and colleagues, but also dedicated, intuitive, and hard-working. She started in the surgical intensive care unit and then transferred to the post-anesthesia care unit where she stayed until her retirement in 2013. During 33+ years of nursing, Paz became the “face of PACU.” She was a selfless teacher, held strong relationships with doctors and anesthesiologists, and didn’t fear speaking up for the advocacy of her patients. Her passion for nursing turned into official leadership with the Philippine Nurses Association of Arizona (PNAAZ) where she was a member, Executive Board leader, and Assistant Treasurer, serving that community with the same rigor as her hospital community. She was regarded so highly in her profession that she was given the DAISY Award for Nursing in 2006 and was honored with the title “Nurse of the Year” at St. Joseph’s Hospital in 2009.

In 1986, her husband, Ric - along with others in the Filipino community - founded a family-oriented organization and called it Samahang Bayanihan of Arizona. Paz was the backbone of all of SBA’s events: holiday parties, summer camping, and Laughlin trips, and helped to promote Filipino culture to the Arizona community through dance and modern steps. She continuously offered her house to host all of these events, always friendly to newcomers to the group. No one left her home without feeling welcomed, feeling happy, and feeling full.

Just as she was dedicated to her work and community, she was dedicated to her role as a mother and grandmother. Paz was a master in juggling her worlds; she never hesitated to drive across town for a dance rehearsal, watch a softball game, or plan an elaborate family vacation, all after long shifts at the hospital. She took endless amounts of pictures to capture moments that would be otherwise forgotten and dedicated time to each of her daughters’ lives and interests. As a grandmother, Paz was a natural. Never fully removing the “mother” hat, Paz was often the only one that knew how to soothe the crying grandbaby or the only one that knew the remedy for a seasonal cold. She spoiled her four grandchildren rotten with her hugs and her time.

After her retirement in 2013, Paz had more time to spend with the grandchildren as well as traveling with Ric. She was determined to see as much of the world as possible and would inspire many of her friends and family to join in on her adventures. Together, Ric and Paz traveled to 70 national and international cities and Hard Rock Cafes together.

Determined, strong, generous, and always smiling. Paz leaves a legacy of what it is to be a true woman. She had no fear to walk an unbeaten path and even in her last months remained relentless in her spirit to do it her own way: with dignity and a lot of love.

Left to continue Pacita’s legacy are her husband, Ricardo, and her three daughters Kristina and her partner Reynaldo, Kathleen, and her husband Bob, Kimberly, and her husband Michael. She relished in her role as “Gram’ma” and “Lola” to Olivia, Nico, Sam, and Ben. Left with years of fond memories are her living siblings, Benedicto, Emelda, Juanita, Maria Luz, Juan Jr, Ronald, and 24 nieces and nephews.

Visitation is Sunday, August 20, 2023, at West Resthaven Funeral Home, 6450 W Northern Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301 from 1 pm - 5 pm. Funeral Mass is Monday, August 21, 2023, at St. Helen’s Catholic Church, 5510 W Cholla St, Glendale, AZ 85304 starting at 10 am. Interment to follow at Holy Redeemer Catholic Cemetery, 23015 Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024.