Ramona (Moning) Ferrer Labrador, 99, passed peacefully on Monday, May 13, 2024 in her home with her son, Rex Labrador, her caregiver in Virginia Beach. She was born on February 25, 1925 in San Felipe, Zambales, Philippines. Her parents are the late Catalino Ferrer and Leona Gabay Ferrer. She is predeceased by her siblings, Aniana Rebultan, Maria Rosario Borja, Josefina Cayobit, and Jetulio Ferrer. She married June 25, 1953 to her late husband, Celedonio C. Labrador, USN Retired (Oct. 2014) also of San Felipe, Zambales, Philippines. They were married for 51 years.
Ramona was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her four children, Rex, Lera Rickling (John), Norman and Jeff. Grandchildren, Jason, Robin, Nina, Amber & Lauren. Great grandchild, Z’myra.
Ramona was strong willed, industrious, generous and a caring person. She loved to sew, cook, travel, plant flowers and vegetables and share them with friends and family. She lived life to the fullest and loved God. She was a member of Church of the Ascension in Virginia Beach. She was a pillar in the Filipino community and was featured in the April-June 1998 issue of the Filipino Chronicle as “The Matriarch of the Filipino Community”. She was one of the founding and original members of the Filipino Women’s Club of Tidewater (FWCT). She was also a member of Zambales Association, Inc., and United Ilocano Association of Tidewater.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 pm, on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, Kempsville Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 noon, on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Church of the Ascension Catholic Church. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
