Donata Espanol Aguinaldo

Donata Edquilang Espanol was born in Candelaria, Zambales, Philippines on November 29, 1937 to Crisanto Espanol and Sifroniana Edquilang. After high school, Donata studied pre-nursing at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. She came to the United States in 1961 to continue her nursing studies in Philadelphia and eventually became a registered nurse. In nursing school, she made many lifelong friends and cherished them all. Donata met Rogelio Calija Aguinaldo in Philadelphia. They were married on December 28, 1963 at Washington National Cathedral in Washington D.C. Rogelio was enlisted in the United States Navy and he was stationed in several cities. After they were married, they lived in San Diego, California; Norfolk, Virginia; Newport, Rhode Island and then back to San Diego. They eventually settled in Bonita, California. They were together for over sixty years. They had four children, Margaret, Romeo, Pamela and Catherine.

Donata was a talented seamstress and loved to sew. She enjoyed gardening and picking apples and tomatoes in the garden. She loved orchids and always had colorful orchid blooms around the house and in her backyard. She also enjoyed cooking delicious meals for her family. She was a devout Catholic and prayed daily. She loved and adored her three grandchildren.

Donata was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, auntie and friend. Donata is survived by her four adult children, her son in laws John Crist and David Latora and also her grandchildren Joshua, Gabriel and Jacob.

Funeral services for Donata will take place in the Chapel of the Roses located in the center of Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3838 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902 on Wednesday January 22, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM and a committal service will take place at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Dr, San Diego, CA, 92122 at 11:15AM to 11:45 AM.