Maria C. Galvan

Maria Galvan

JULY 22, 1931 – JUNE 24, 2021

Maria “Mamie” Caguioa Galvan, 89, passed away on June 24, 2021.

Maria “Mamie” Caguioa Galvan was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She lived a full and meaningful life and left this world on June 24, 2021. She was born on July 22, 1931 to Juan Caguioa and Segunda Fave Galivo in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, Philippines. She was the 2nd to the youngest of seven (7) children. As a young girl, she survived the Japanese occupation of the Philippines from 1942 to 1945 during World War II. Mamie married Pedro “Pete” Galvan on January 28, 1954 in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, Philippines. Pete had been in the US Navy since 1946 and brought Mamie back with him to the United States in 1954 to build their life together. Before settling down in the Tidewater area, she moved around with Pete’s naval career and lived in various locations including Boston, Washington, D.C., and Naples, Italy. Mamie resided in Virginia Beach for 54 years.

Mamie had a beautiful smile that could warm your heart and an infectious energy that would brighten your day. Mamie loved to socialize, and she was an active member of the Pangasinan Association and St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Mamie. She loved spending time in the kitchen cooking delicious food for her loved ones. Her Kutsinta and Puto were highly sought after and exceptionally delicious. She enjoyed shopping and it was not uncommon for her to run out last minute to purchase lottery tickets. She was also particularly delighted when she was playing slot machines. She loved to eat crabs, lots of crabs, and had a passion for crabbing.

Mamie’s greatest gift was her heart and her ability to selflessly care for others. She spent most of her life as a loving care provider. Mamie had a servant heart. She had the patience and skill to care for special needs babies as well as the elderly. She cared for several babies and young children and went on to work as a care provider at Sentara Assisted Living. After she retired from her job, she once again became a care provider for the last time while she cared for the love of her life, her late husband, Pete.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her beloved daughter Jacqueline, Son-in-Law Michael Camlet, her much loved and adored granddaughter Madelyn, cherished brother Ernesto Caguioa (Dagupan, Philippines), sister Rhodora Carlos (Manila, Philippines), and brother Remegio Siapno (Manila, Philippines), and many nephews, nieces, and treasured extended family and friends.

Mamie’s life will be honored on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home with Novena prayers from 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. and visitation from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held to celebrate her life on Friday, July 16, 2021 at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. with internment to follow at Rosewood Memorial Park.

The family would like to thank Ruth and her staff at Ruth’s Care for the kind and compassionate care she received.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Paws in Need or Pets for the Elderly (PFE).