Domitila Montoya Patenia

Domitila “Mila” Montoya Patenia, born May 7, 1944 in Santa Ana, Pampanga, Philippines, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2025 at the age of 80, surrounded by family. She is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Alberto (Bert) Fernandez Patenia, parents Mamerto Mallari Montoya and Lucina Butiu Montoya, sisters Veronica Montoya and Rosalina Montoya and brothers Pio Montoya, Leonardo Montoya, Bonifacio Montoya, Orlando Montoya and Servillano Montoya.

Mila is survived by her two daughters, Jocelyn Patenia Huang and Jasmin Montoya Patenia; son-in-laws Gerald Huang and Andrew Moyes; and cherished grandchildren Megan Huang, Mila Huang, Ayla Moyes, and Luca Moyes.

A visitation will be held at Settegast-Kopf Co. Funeral Home @ 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77478 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Friends and family are invited to come and share fond memories and stories.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church @ 1510 Fifth Street, Missouri City, TX 77459 on Friday, February 21, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. followed by an Interment Ceremony at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery @ 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077.

Mila was born in Pampanga, Philippines, the eighth child of thirteen siblings – Pio, Veronica, Leonardo, Elizabeth, Bonifacio, Rosalina, Florencio, Orlando, Servillano, Bernardo, Alberto and Arsenia Montoya. She attended Polytechnic College of the Philippines where she graduated with a Chemical Engineering degree and also met the love of her life Alberto (Bert) Patenia.

After Bert emigrated to the US in 1968, he and Mila kept in touch through letters and they married in Manila on January 3, 1970. Mila moved to Houston, Texas to join Bert and the two began their life together, having two daughters Jocelyn and Jasmin. Mila began a career in cancer research at MD Anderson Hospital, where she worked for 30 years. Bert’s career eventually brought the family overseas to Saudi Arabia until 2002. After retirement, the couple spent their remaining years taking care of their grandchildren and enjoying time with their family and close friends in Houston.

Mila enjoyed gardening, cooking, singing, dancing, travel and connecting with friends. She was a loving Lola to her four grandchildren and a dedicated wife, mother, mother-in-law, sister and friend to many. She was an active member of the Filipino community, Holy Family Catholic Church and TFC Choir. Mila will be dearly missed by those who knew her and will live on in our hearts forever.