Magdalena Villanueva

Magdalena Arreola Villanueva was born in Tondo Manila on April 29, 1923 to Dr. Florencio and Benita Arreola. Growing up, she had a wonderful childhood with four brothers and two sisters. She went to Santa Rosa College for High School, Philippine Women’s University, and Centro Escolar University. She completed her Bachelors in Science in both Education and Nutrition. She was a teacher for 43 years, teaching P-12 and university.

She met Carlos Estacio Villanueva while she was in Law School at Far Eastern University. They were happily married for 35 years until his death in 1986. Magdalena had 10 children - each one filling her life with blessings and hope. While raising her kids in the Philippines, she sought a more sustainable and prosperous future for her children. Her husband and her were able to bring 8 of their children to United States. Carlos Florencio and Mary Ann chose to stay in the Philippines.

When she came to the US, a life that she thought would be much more fruitful, tragedy struck. On July 1986, she lost her husband. This began the next chapter in her life as a pillar of support and love for her children.

From 1980-2000, she began raising many of her grandchildren. She was known as Mamang or Lola Nellie. To each of her grandchildren, she taught them the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. If you were lucky, you could hear the loving masterful teacher. She was known for her love of taking care of children from birth to middle school. Even at this age in her life, she had a tremendous presence that could be felt by her loud voice and amazing cooking skills. She loved to sing to her grandchildren.

In the early 2000’s, Lola Nelly’s old age prevented her from taking care of her grandchildren, and required her to be cared for. Through the help of her children Carlos Jesus, Marlene, Marivic, Marissa, Maria Imelda, Carlos Hector, Carlos Horacio, and Racquel, grandma was surrounded by a team who loved and cared for her during the time when she needed them most.

Up until the age of 90, grandma was still very functional. She loved to walk, eat palabok, and pray the rosary all day. She enjoyed visitors and phone conversations especially her grandchildren. At various times, her energy would allow her family to see the powerful icon they once knew.

On September 19 2014, she told her family, “Harry and Papang visited me.” The next day, around 8:00pm in Renton, she joined her creator. The Villanueva family lost its matriarch.

They invite those who knew and loved her to attend her viewing:

Thursday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm at Greenwood Memorial Park 350 Monroe Ave NE, Renton WA 98056

Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm at Greenwood Memorial Park

Lastly to join us at her funeral service and mass:

Saturday: 1:00pm at Greenwood Memorial Park 350 Monroe Ave NE, Renton WA 98056

Burial at 3:30 at Riverton Crest Cemetery 3400 South 140th Street Tukwila WA 98168 (Southwest area near the central office)