Criselda Cuesta

The Cuesta family regrets to announce the passing of Criselda Concepcion Cuesta at the age of 100. She peacefully passed away on April 23, 2025 surrounded by family. Born on April 8, 1925, in Camiling, Tarlac, Philippines to Primo Cabrera Concepcion and Sabrina Balagso Concepcion. Criselda (Chris) was the youngest of 10 children and the last of her siblings to pass.

As a child, she grew up in a small town outside Camiling where her family were the leaders in the community. Before coming to the U.S. for college, Criselda did some acting and starred in a movie, Daigdig Ung Daling Hiwaga .

Criselda came to the U.S. in 1945 and attended the University of Delaware where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and went on to become a Registered Nurse. She worked at various hospitals including the Chinese General Hospital in Manila and in San Diego, Mercy Hospital and Paradise Valley Hospital. Her nursing career included working in surgery, pediatrics, administration and home health. After working at Paradise Valley for over 25 years she retired in 1989. Throughout her lifetime, she continued her education obtaining various postgraduate certificates including certification for Enterostomal Therapy from UCSD.

Criselda met her husband of 54 years, Caesar J. Cuesta, in Philadelphia, PA. They were married in July 1955 in Los Angeles, CA. As a Navy family, they lived in New York, the Philippines and then Long Beach. The family eventually moved to San Diego in 1964 and remain here to date. She is preceded in death by her husband, Caesar and is survived by her children, Caesar James(Fely), Alex(Lety) and Liz(Mike Stringer-deceased). Criselda has 3 grandchildren (Analicia, Carlos and Phillip) and 2 great grandchildren (Kailani and Kina).

Chris was very active in the San Diego community. She was a founding member and President of the Philippine Nurses Association of San Diego County and the Pangasinan Association of San Diego County. She also served as President of the American Legion Auxiliary-Fava Hall chapter for many years.

Criselda was a very ambitious, independent, caring and supportive person. She was also always willing to help others financially, driving friends to work or just bringing others food. Criselda enjoyed gardening especially growing various types of orchids. Her favorite hobbies included sewing (making her own Filipino butterfly gowns), going to the local casinos and traveling to Las Vegas. In her retirement years, she knitted hats for senior citizens, newborn babies, military families and the homeless.

Criselda was the matriarch of our family and she is deeply missed. We are thankful for the legacy she and Dad/Grandpa created by bringing our family to America. Rest in peace and enjoy being with Dad, cruising in beautiful cars, gambling at heaven’s casinos and “going to school” (aka: the horse races).

Memorial services including viewing and rosary are listed below.