Evangeline Alfonso Villanueva

Evangeline “Vangie” Alfonso Villanueva passed away surrounded by loved ones at her home in Sugar Land, Texas on Monday, June 30th at the age of 72 years old. A loving wife, mother, and grandmother as well as a devoted friend, Vangie’s life will be remembered for her endless care and nurturing spirit.

Vangie is survived by her husband, Joven; daughter, Kristie Ann Villanueva (and her husband Richy Lu); grandchildren, Jonathan Elliot Lu and Evelyn Joy Lu; and brothers, Ronnie Alfonso and Dante Alfonso.

Vangie was born on April 10th in Sigma, Capiz, Philippines to Porfirio Alfonso and Lelita Bautista. A proud alumnus, she graduated from Filamer Christian College with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing in 1976. Her nursing career took her from the Philippines to the United States in 1978, where she briefly worked in Tennessee before relocating to Houston, Texas. In 1981, she joined Ben Taub General Hospital of the Harris County Hospital District, where she would dedicate more than three decades of her career, first, as Assistant Nurse Manager in the Pediatric ICU then in Quality Management Services.

Vangie married Joven “Voy” Villanueva in 1981 and welcomed their daughter Kristie four years later. She emphasized community through her involvement with the Houston Millennium Lions Club, West Visayan Circle of Houston, Ladies of Solidarity, Philippine Nurses Association, Ang Sigmahanon, and Filamerian. In 2003, Vangie leveraged her experience and network in nursing to found the Lions Share Health Fair, which served as the signature community service project for her Lions Club chapter for the next fifteen years.

Her acts of service extended to smaller gestures, too. She removed seeds from the watermelon intended for her grandpuppy Penny. She and Jonathan listened to music while watching the trees. She played make-believe with Evelyn. If she brought dessert, she brought Chantilly Lace cake from Whole Foods. A nurse by profession and compassionate by heart, we were blessed to be witnessed by her listening ear, to receive her unconditional support, and to feel the warmth of her quality time.