Sonia Oppus Vicuna

Sonia O. Vicuna, age 79, died peacefully on Monday, July 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sonia O. Vicuna (January 23, 1945 – July 29, 2024)

Sonia was born in Carmen, Bohol, Philippines on January 23, 1945 to Col. Vitaliano Luza Oppus and Bartolomea Andoy Ginete. She is the fifth of seven children, and her siblings include two sisters: Romy and Lourdes, and four brothers; Demy, Oscar, Jake and Guido. Sonia attended the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos in Bacolod for her primary and secondary education. She then went to the Corazon Locsin Memorial Hospital College of Nursing.

In 1970, Sonia migrated to the United States and started her new life in Philadelphia, PA through a Foreign Nurses Exchange Program. It was there in Philadelphia that she met her eventual husband, Hector Vicuna. They got married on June 17, 1972 and were married for 52 years. While in Philadelphia, she joined the first Charismatic prayer group and was a lector on some Sunday masses. She was active in various Filipino organization, and was once the president of the Filipino Nurses Association.

Sonia lived and worked in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for over 30 years, and raised her two children in South Jersey. Sonia was a Registered Nurse (RN) for over 40 years and spent a great deal of her career working in the Medical Surgical and Telemetry units at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. Since she was always so friendly and provided excellent care to her patients, she received several personal handwritten notes from them expressing gratitude. She eventually left the East Coast and moved to Las Vegas in 2005 to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

Sonia had the biggest heart and was a very thoughtful, generous, and fun-loving person. Being a Lola (grandmother) to her four grandchildren probably brought her the most happiness and joy! She enjoyed being with them and was extremely proud of their accomplishments. She loved attending all their sporting events – she was their #1 fan. Sonia was very involved with the Christ the King Church and ministries, and she was very faithful and devout – active with Couples for Christ, and the El Shaddai Prayer Group.

Sonia was a true fashionista. When she wasn’t wearing her scrubs in the hospital, Sonia loved to get dressed up, and was known to be always wearing something fancy. There wasn’t a sequined dress that she didn’t like. She had a larger than life personality and was the ultimate social butterfly. If you met her, she was sure to strike up a conversation and probably offer you a plate of food. She enjoyed being in the kitchen, was a great cook, and got tremendous satisfaction from people eating and enjoying what she prepared. She loved to attend social functions and have face-to-face interactions with people. There wasn’t a celebration that she would want to miss, and one of her passions was to dance, where she was usually the first one on the dance floor and the last to leave.

Sonia is survived by her husband, Hector Vicuna, and her daughter, Mary Frances (Fran) Vicuna-Howe (Richard). Sonia has four grandchildren: Dajon Howe, Gabriel Howe, Siam Vicuna, and Jaelyn Vicuna. She is preceded in death by her parents: Vitaliano and Bartolomea Oppus, three brothers: Demy Oppus, Oscar Oppus, and Guido Oppus, and her son: Hector Michael (Mike) Vicuna Jr.

Our family would like to express deep gratitude and thanks to all our family and friends that have extended their love and support to us during this difficult time. Thanks to all that were able to pray with us in person or on zoom during the 9-day Novena. Special thanks to the parishioners of Christ the King Church who also held a 9-day Novena every morning after Mass. While our hearts mourn the loss, we take comfort in knowing that she is no longer suffering.

A Celebration of Life/Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 from 6:00-8:00pm at Palm Mortuary Southwest: 7979 W. Warm Springs Road in Las Vegas, Nevada. The following day, a funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 starting at 9:30am at Christ the King Catholic Church: 4925 S. Torrey Pines Drive in Las Vegas, Nevada. A reception will follow immediately after the mass in the Community Center.