Celerina Rubi Liss

February 3, 1933 - January 4, 2026

Celerina Rubi Alviar Liss, age 92, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, in Huntsville, Alabama. Known to many simply as Rubi, she lived a life marked by resilience, intellect, and unwavering devotion to her family and community.

Born on February 3, 1933, in Vintar, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, Rubi was a spirited child whose intelligence and determination were evident from an early age. She skipped a grade in secondary school and often opted for oral exams over written ones—reasoning she had nothing to lose—and frequently passed with ease. Her academic excellence carried her through college with high honors and into Pre-Law studies, laying the foundation for a lifelong commitment to justice and service.

Rubi's early years were shaped by rich, joyful experiences growing up in a large extended family, graced with love and encouragement. As a child, she delighted in climbing guava trees—sometimes leaping from them dramatically to her parents' great distress—and once dared others to swim across a spring-flooded river (a challenge only she completed). Rubi was quite the singer and dancer, too. Alongside her sister Pearlita (Pearl), she entered singing contests during childhood and toured across the Philippines performing cultural dances with their high school group.

Rubi's character was equally marked by harrowing experiences during World War II. At just eight years old, she carried her baby sister Radé up jungle-covered mountains to escape advancing Japanese forces, a task she undertook because the baby would cry unless held by her. She also recounted the terrifying ordeal of nearly losing her father, Pedro F. Alviar, who was captured and tortured for publishing an underground anti-Japanese newspaper. Scheduled for execution, he was miraculously spared at the last moment thanks to the intervention of the provincial governor's wife. These stories of courage and survival became treasured narratives that Rubi shared with her family throughout her life.

In 1957, Rubi married Capt. Harry A. Lucas, USMC Ret., with whom she had four children. During Harry's multiple tours of duty in Vietnam, Rubi alone raised their children on a limited budget. She treated this challenge as an opportunity to grow stronger—scrimping for food, clothes, and furniture while instilling resilience and love in her home. These years gave her not only practical budgeting skills but also the confidence to pursue a career in social services.

From 1968 to 1982, Rubi served as a social worker in Onslow County, North Carolina. Her dedication earned her numerous awards for excellence and culminated in her appointment as Supervisor of the Child Enforcement Agency. In 1983, she moved to New Orleans and continued her mission as Social Work Supervisor at the Volunteers of America Community Justice and Re-Entry Program. Over the next two decades until her retirement in 2003, Rubi received multiple accolades from the Federal Bureau of Prisons for her outstanding contributions.

Rubi's zest for life extended far beyond her professional achievements. One of Rubi's proudest moments occurred when she became a citizen of the United States. While pregnant at the time, she traveled from Jacksonville, NC, to Raleigh accompanied only by a neighbor's teenage daughter. At the Federal Courthouse in Raleigh, she passed her citizenship test and participated in the naturalization ceremony—an event made all the more memorable by an engaging conversation with the presiding judge who was impressed by her knowledge of U.S. law. In later years, Rubi helped several of her siblings gain their own U.S. citizenships—a testament to both her generosity and enduring pride in her adopted country.

In 1983, Rubi married Sgt Maj. Raymond A. Liss, USMC Ret., who remained a devoted husband and loving father figure to her children throughout their marriage.

As an adult, Rubi cultivated a love for gardening inherited from her mother and was known for her green thumb. She was an avid reader who relished solving crossword puzzles at the most challenging levels.

Her Catholic faith was central throughout her life. In New Orleans, she was an active parishioner at St. Cletus Catholic Church and later St. Martha's Catholic Church in Gretna, Louisiana. After relocating to Huntsville, Alabama, she remained spiritually connected through loving in-home Communion visits from clergy and staff members of The Good Shepherd Catholic Church.

Rubi is survived by her beloved husband Raymond A. Liss; children Tessa Lucas (Rick Rodriguez), Harry Lucas (Terri), Julianne Lucas, and Helen Crawford; grandsons AJ and Matt Lucas; brother Philip (Pete) Edgar Alviar; sisters Rade' Alviar and Victoria (Ria) Llaguno; along with many extended family members who cherished her deeply.

She was predeceased by her parents Pedro F. Alviar and Tereza Agcouili Alviar; sisters Pearlita (Pearl) Foz, Daisy Ascunsion, Thelma (Tem) Reyes, Manchita (Manchi) Rojas; and brothers Don Alviar and Eric Alviar.

Rubi's legacy includes not only decades of public service but also countless acts of personal generosity—helping maintain the family home back in Vintar and supporting relatives' journeys to new lives in the United States. Her life was one of action rooted in love: love for justice, love for family, love for laughter.

Rubi will be remembered for her sharp memory, vivid storytelling, fierce independence, competitive spirit, generosity of heart, warm hospitality, and deep love for both of her husbands and all her children and grandchildren.

May her memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved her.

On Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 10 AM

A Requiem Mass in Honor of Rubi will be held at

Good Shepherd Catholic Church

13550 Chaney Thompson Rd.

Huntsville, AL 35803

After the mass, a short service at the on-site Columbarium will be held. Afterwards, there will be a Reception at the Ray and Rubi Liss home, 2804 Southhurst Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35803.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, we encourage you to make a donation in honor of Rubi to you favorite animal or environmental charity.