"Gorgeous" Aida Straughn

Loida Flores Straughn was born in Baclaran, Paranaque, Philippines on July 24, 1939. Her parents were Enrique, a fisherman and later a barber; and Susana Flores (née Jimenez). Her father was able to work and become an American citizen and gradually bring his family to America, via Guam.

Loida was called Aida in her youth, but in later years she was known as “Gorgeous.” She had an incredibly bright smile which seemed to light up the room, and that was combined with an extrovert’s warmth and charm. There were many attempted suiters in the Philippines and in Guam, but all to no avail.

After graduating with a degree in Banking and Commerce, she emigrated to the U.S. via Guam where she worked for the Bank of Hawaii. In 1968, while still living in Guam, she met her brother’s Navy friend, Tom Straughn, who, unbeknownst to them, she would marry three years later. Her family relocated to Long Beach in 1969. Tom’s ship was home ported in Long Beach and in 1970 they were reacquainted. Letter writing while he was deployed to WestPac led to warmer feelings between them. She rebuffed Tom’s attempts to marry, but ultimately, she relented, and they were married in 1971 in Bethany Assembly of God church, where Aida taught youth Sunday School.

They had two children over the next five years, Byron and Robyn. Aida worked in the international branch of United California Bank during these early years while Tom went to college. After Tom graduated and received a commission in the Navy, the family bought a house and moved to San Diego, CA. Subsequent to that, they spent the next several years overseas in Japan and the Philippines. During these years, Aida worked in several areas, including as a teacher’s aid, managing the Day Care Center and the Youth Center. She took an active role in her on-base church in the Philippines, singing and co-leading a small group. She and Tom also adopted two of Aida’s nieces from the Philippines while stationed in Japan, Mylene and Susana.

They returned to the States in 1989. Soon after arriving in Centreville, VA, Aida was hired to work in a bank again. This time as a teller. Due to that beautiful smile and her friendly warmth, customers would wait in line to be served by her. She was well known and admired by many in the community. She was also active in church during this period, as a choir member and solo singer.

By 1998, Aida and Tom were empty nesters and relocated to the San Diego area to escape the cold of the East Coast. They bought a home in Imperial Beach, CA in the year 2000. She became known as “Gorgeous” during this period. Gorgeous cultivated a beautiful garden in their small yard that Tom called “a little bit of paradise.” Her garden was admired by everyone who saw it. She also grew persimmon and guava trees so that she could share the fruit with friends and church members. For many years she regularly attended the International Church of Praise, where she was affectionately called “Mommy Gorgeous.”

In 2022, Gorgeous became gravely ill and was not expected to survive. But through the grace of God, she did survive. She and Tom referred to every day that followed as “bonus time.” On January 9, 2025, after another similarly grave illness, she passed peacefully at home with her family at her side. The world is a little less bright without her wonderful smile.

She is survived by her husband Tom of 53 years, her children, Byron (Amy), Robyn (Dave), Mylene, Susana (Edmond), her sister, Priscilla, ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews—and “the boys” Buddy and Scooter.