Teresita Valenzuela Otanes

She was born on October 6, 1948 to Francisco and Genoveva Valenzuela in Binalonan, Pangasinan, Philippines. She graduated from Binalonan High School in 1966. And in 1970, she received her Bachelor's of Science in Education from the University of Baguio (UB), Philippines. While attending UB, she met her husband, Robert Otanes. Her determination to have a better future led her decision to immigrate to the United States.

Teresita and her husband raised their two daughters in Mission Viejo, California. She was an active member of St. Kilian's for over 25 years, and belonged to the Tertiary of the Dominican Order at St. Michael Abbey convent in Silverado, California. She worked for 16 years for McGaw (now B. Braun Medical) in Irvine, California as a Quality Control Technician. Her favorite pursuits were cooking, dancing, gardening, traveling, and enjoying the company of family and friends.

She was a caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was self-less in so many ways, always putting others ahead of her self. She showed genuine concern, compassion, kindness, and generosity. She made time to see and visit family and friends, showing her support in any way no matter the circumstance. Perhaps it is this timeless quality in her that made so many family and friends love and appreciate her.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Robert Otanes, their two daughters, Tiffany Arlene Aquinde and Grace Joy Hernandez, along with their husbands and children. Teresita is also survived by two sisters, one brother, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, and friends. Services were held at St. Kilian Church in Mission Viejo, California. Teresita was laid to rest in Ascension Cemetery in Lake Forest, California.

Her legacy will live in the hearts and minds of everyone she touched and interacted with.