Rebecca Pangco Alcantara

Rebecca “Ruby” Pangco Alcantara, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, and friend to many, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2024 at the age of 70. She was surrounded by loving family and friends at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center.

Born on June 14, 1953, in the Philippines, Ruby grew up in Noveleta, Cavite and attended Cavite National High School. She graduated from Philippine Women’s University in Manila and married Enrico “Ric” Gonzales Alcantara, her high school classmate, on December 9, 1978. In 1979, she moved to San Diego, California to be with Ric, who was serving in the U.S. Navy.

She built her 30+ career as a medical technologist, retiring in 2015 from the Navy Drug Screening Laboratory at the Naval Medical Center San Diego (also known as “Balboa Hospital”). Ruby lived a life full of happiness and love through family gatherings and trips, socializing with many friends and coworkers, and teaching her daughters the values of hard work, respect, and doing the things that make you happy. She was known for her delicious cooking, ballroom line dancing, expertise in gardening, making clothing alterations for her friends and family, and hosting the family Halloween party every year.

Ruby is survived by her husband Ric, her eldest daughter Ellen, her second daughter Erica and husband Andy with their children Alana and Ashton, and youngest daughter Eliza and husband Jeff with their daughter Alea, all of whom she adored deeply. She will be greatly missed by her family (the Pangco, Pilapil, and Alcantara clans), friends, and the Cavite community she was a part of.

Services will be held in honor of Ruby at Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary, where she will be remembered fondly and celebrated for the beautiful life she lived.

To honor Ruby’s life, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association so they can continue their ongoing support for those affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Ruby may have left this world, but her legacy of love, faith, motivation, and kindness will continue to inspire us all.

Rest in heavenly peace, Ruby. You will forever hold a special place in our hearts.