Mila Delacruz de Perio

We are sad to announce our loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed around 12 noon Monday, January 9, 2023.

Mila resided in Las Vegas, Nevada since February 2003 with her husband of 48 years, when her husband passed back in July 25, 2011.

She was born October 5, 1944 in Tayabas, Quezon Province, Philippines. She spent her adolescent years as a traveling Army family in the United States and graduated from Waynesville High School in Missouri. She later attended La Concordia College in the Philippines. While her family was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Mila was crowned the Miss Philippines of the Asia Continent Beauty Pageant in 1963 where she met and married her husband (Julius Caesar Bonifacio de Perio). She was the eldest of 6 siblings (Mena, Mary, Vic Jr, Mirna and Mark). Mila is survived by her 5 adult children and their husbands / partners (Jeanette, Judith & Brett, Jennifer & Cesar, Jerick & Ally and Jason & Jeannette), 14 grandchildren (Eddie Boy, Vanessa, Eric, Jason Jr., Evan, Jacob, Kevin Jr., Brianna, Justina, CJ, Jade, Daniel, Jazz and Lolita) and 11 great grandchildren (Kirsten, Emily, Kaileah, Samson, Jordan, Eliseo, Eva, Jameson, Kaelani, Journey and Kaveah with another great grandchild due in July 2023.

Before retiring in Las Vegas, Mila and her husband raised their 5 children in Union City, CA from 1969 – 2003. When her kids were younger, she opted to stay at home, raise them and provided childcare for eighteen kids (18) in their neighborhood. She eventually went back to work as her kids entered elementary school. She was active in her community serving as the President of the Parent Teacher Association, volunteering as team mom for CYO and UCFL while working full time at General Foods International. She was also a promoter/manager of a band and entertainers which involved coordinating events and concerts featuring Filipino artists. Staying connected to the Filipino American community was important to her by serving as the President of the Fil-Am Makati Club and Executive Board Member of Casiguran Fil-Am Council. It provided opportunities to give back to her hometown in the Philippines and continue the tradition of celebrating town fiestas.

Mila was an eloquent woman who was well respected by her peers, friends and family. She was the life of the party and a shining star! She had a loving and caring heart as she helped others in need by providing temporary housing for new immigrant families from the Philippines start their new lives in the U.S. A God fearing woman, selfless, and generous exemplified who she was. Her dream was to one day build a church in her home province in the Philippines.

She loved her family deeply and will be remembered by her bold and brave spirit. She will be missed by all who knew her. We are happy she can now rest and be with her loving husband and watch over us.

We love you, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma and will miss you tremendously.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmeastern.com for the Deperio family.