Flora Camacho DeGuzman

An intelligent, beautiful, stylish, humorous woman with an infectious smile, Flora Camacho De Guzman passed on Friday, August 3, 2018. She was 84 years young and is survived by her loving husband, Peter Munoz DeGuzman; son, Norman DeGuzman; daughter, Jeanne DeGuzman; grandchildren, Cami, Alyssa and Anthony DeGuzman; daughter-in-law, Joy DeGuzman; and son-in-law, Robert Ricasa.

Flora was born on June 5, 1934 in Urbiztondo, Pangasinan, Philippines to Andres and Anastacia deGuzman, and was the oldest of 11 siblings.

She immigrated to the United States in 1955 after attending the University of Santo Thomas and North General Hospital, and working as a Municipal Nurse across several provinces in the Philippines.

Upon arriving in New York she worked as a nurse at Kellogg Institute while attending New York University. In 1957 she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.

Flora continued a distinguished career as a Registered Nurse for 37 years, eventually becoming the Hospital Supervisor of Scripps Memorial Hospital in Chula Vista. Through her expertise and fervor to contribute to the community, she was recruited to establish the first Intensive Care Unit on Guam. She was notably in charge of many high-profile hospital care cases including the last remaining Japanese soldier from WWII on Guam and played a crucial role in the coordination and treatment of the San Ysidro massacre victims.

In 1984 Flora received her Masters Degree in Business Administration at National University and retired in 1994.

Happily married to Peter since 1958, it would’ve been their 60 year anniversary this September. She was devoted to her family but made time for her friends and the organizations she belonged to including the Nurses Association, Pangasinan Association, Dagupan Association, San Carlos Association and Filipino Crusillo of San Diego. She was a devout Catholic and became a parishioner of Corpus Christi when it was founded in 1984.

Flora’s passion was in traveling the world and buying something sparkling to take home as a souvenir. She always kept her luggage packed for her many spur-of-the-moment trips. She was a giving woman and loved to take her children and grandchildren along with her to go out, see the world and get lost. Her favorite means of travel was by cruiseship, and was able to flawlessly name every city she had ever visited. She kept her mind sharp with crossword puzzles and knew the importance of finding something to laugh at every day.

Gracious and humble, yet very social Flora touched many lives while here on this Earth. She will be remembered for her beaming smile and humor, her sense of style and bling, her passion for travel, generosity and the compassion and legacy she left in the nursing field.

Flora Camacho De Guzman, having overcome many obstacles to achieve the American dream for herself and her family, has left this world a better place. May God surround her with his love and may she rest in eternal peace.