Virginia G Pelayo

The only child of Florencio Galicano, a native of Carcar, Cebu and Leoncia Tuano Galicano, a native of San Juan, Rizal. Virginia was born in Manila, Philippines. Virginia Pelayo graduated from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with majors in Biology and Home Economics. She taught at Arellano and Mapa High Schools of the Division of City Schools in Manila from 1957 to 1971 before following her husband to San Francisco in the early 1970s with three young children in tow.

Upon arrival in America, she acquired a standard teaching credential from the state of California and started as a part time teacher’s aide at the school district of San Francisco while taking care of her young children at home.

She pursued her passion in music and attended piano classes at the San Francisco School of Music in the evening, becoming a part-time piano teacher while juggling a full-time job as an eligibility worker with the City and County of San Francisco. She was an accomplished baker of elaborate multi-tiered cakes and a graceful ballroom dancer. Her other hobbies include flower arranging, floral gardening, collecting stamps and coins, listening to classical and religious music, and watching religious movies. A devout Catholic, she was an active member of St. John’s in Milpitas, CA and Sacred Heart in Ventura, CA. She enjoyed traveling especially to holy places.

In the belief that life’s blessings should be shared, she started a trust fund to send family members in the Philippines to colleges and universities. Some of those whom she supported are now parents themselves and were able to help younger siblings pursue higher education. She gave freely to those in need.

Virginia is survived by her loving husband of fifty four years, Larry Pelayo; three children, Allan Pelayo, Sophia Franco and Rowena Pelayo; son-in-law Michael Franco and daughter-in-law Robyn Pignone; and two grandchildren, Isabella and Mia Franco. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to her education scholarship fund. Make checks payable to Virginia Pelayo or Larry Pelayo, memo: Scholarship Fund.

Viewing will be held on Friday, May 2, 5:30-8:00 PM with a recitation of the holy rosary at 7:00 PM at the Charles Carroll Funeral Home, 15 Teloma Drive, Ventura, CA. 93003. The memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 3 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, also in Ventura. Friends are invited to join the family at a reception in Biedermann Hall following the service.

Arrangements under the direction of Charles Carroll Funeral Home, Ventura, CA.