Miranda Villegas Gilford

Miranda Villegas Gilford was born on May 30, 1934 in Dulag, Leyte Philippines to Eugenio and Gabina Villegas, both teachers. Miranda was one of 5 siblings whom she now joins in heaven: Beloved brother, Mano Dodong; Sr. Maria Villegas, Religious Sister of Mercy; Attorney Cesar Villegas; and Civil Engineer Miguel Villegas.

Miranda was a bright woman of accomplishment and adventure. After completing her medical studies in the Philippines, she came to the United States for her residency in Pediatrics. During this time, she met and fell in love with Dr. Howard Gilford, another young doctor in training. He was so smitten, he gave up his precious weekends to learn the Catholic catechism under the guidance of the priest who would later marry them. Dr. Gilford demonstrated his dedication to Dr. Villegas whom he loved, respected and admired. Celebrated by their friends, Miranda and Howard were famously married in a simple church ceremony, on their lunch break, and returned to work as husband and wife. This love story that was sacramentally sealed in June 1963 continues to inspire and instruct. Love, partnership, and community was always central to the lives of Mira and Howie. Their matrimonial covenant sustained them throughout their lives.

Over the next 62 years, Mira’s soul work was sustained by love and community. Miranda rooted her new life in family. She and Howie built a home around their family of four with their fiercely loved daughters, Margie and Beverly. Bev’s husband, Christopher, and Marge’s husband, John, were the sons she never had. In her later years, she gave her heart away to her beloved grandchildren Lauren, Nathaniel, and Andy.

Miranda and Howard came to California in 1969 and with friends, they formed a chosen family, her southern California barkada that sustained her to the end. Together they built a brand new home, far from home. In the course of sixty years of friendship they created a unique and loving culture that is both grounded in tradition and open to the new.

Professionally, in over thirty years of practice, Dr. Miranda Gilford was a cherished colleague and beloved doctor. The sheer joy she found in practicing medicine was infectious and lightened everyone’s load. Miranda was a professional who took pride in her work and was tirelessly dedicated to bettering the lives of the children under her care. She was the model of a servant leader in her field.

The decades flew by and it was with incredible joy that Mira welcomed her brother, Attorney Cesar Villegas, his wife Pacita, and their children Emee, Jimmy, Maria, Cesar Jr, and Paulette to live in nearby San Diego. Far away family was now local family! She loved her nieces and nephews as her own and was always there to guide, advise, and delight in them. Mira loved the expanding community from her hometown province of Dulag, Leyte. The community formed by the Dulag Circle was important to Mira and central to her life for decades.

St Anthony's Upland was Mira's church home. She poured her loving heart into all her parish ministries. Over the decades of service and participation, her spiritual roots grew strong and wide. She found true friendships, meaning, and joy at St Anthony's. In the church, she lived her highest purpose of faithfulness to the message of love, service to God, and creating a welcoming community for all.

Miranda was truly a connector, an emissary of love and acceptance. Nothing could derail her from her purpose. Guided by her faith and the instruction to “Love one another” she met every conflict, every difficulty, with the same tools: Look through compassionate eyes; Listen through empathetic ears; Love with an open and accepting heart. Nothing could separate you from the love of Mira.

The family would like to thank St Anthony’s Filipino Ministry for loving and caring for Miranda through so many decades. Though we were far away, we knew she was safe and sound with all of you local angels watching over her.

The family would also like to thank the staff at Claremont Manor where Miranda spent her final months. The staff in caregiving, nursing, housekeeping, transportation, dining, maintenance and chaplaincy received her goodness and light even in its recent, more diminished form. We are grateful for the respect, care, and connection you offered Miranda when her life took a difficult and unexpected turn.

We invite you to the following services:

Thursday, August 7, 5-9 PM

Draper Mortuary

811 N Mountain Ave, Ontario CA 91762

Gathering, 5-5:30 PM

Rosary, 5:30-6 PM

Vigil Service, 6-7 PM

Viewing and Eulogies, 7-9 PM

All are welcome!

Friday, August 8

Funeral Mass, 9:30-11 AM

St Anthony’s Catholic Church

2110 N. San Antonio Ave, Upland, CA 91784

Burial Rites, 11:30 AM

Bellevue Memorial Park

1240 W. G St, Ontario, CA 91762.

Reception, 1PM

St Anthony’s Catholic Church

2110 N. San Antonio Ave, Upland CA 91784

All are welcome to attend any and all of these gatherings in honor of Miranda.

For charitable giving in memory of Miranda, please consider the Sisters of Mercy in Tacloban City, Philippines (contact [email protected] for details) or International Medical Corps.