Maria Cristina Ordinario Padilla

Born on May 31, 1960, in Quezon City, Philippines, Cris dedicated her life to the noble profession of nursing, touching countless lives with profound empathy and grace. Her hands were rarely at rest, always caring for her patients, and family members in need.

She graduated from Clemson University in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Cris began her distinguished 40+ year career at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, where she built a strong foundation as a respected and dedicated nurse. Driven by a sense of adventure and a passion for helping people in diverse communities, she later became a traveling nurse. Her journey took her across the country and beyond, with assignments in San Diego, California, a nurse aboard a cruise ship, and Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her last 25 years were spent working at Presbyterian Matthews in North Carolina. Cris was known for her calm, quiet presence, and was a source of strength for countless patients and families. She also served as a mentor to young nurses entering the field. As a Nurse Manager, she was described by her peers as meticulous, friendly, funny, goal-oriented, and good-hearted. Beyond the hospital walls, she dedicated her spare time to caring for her parents.

It was in Honolulu that Cris met her husband, Steve Miller. They shared 24 years of marriage built on love, respect, and companionship, creating a life filled with cherished memories.

In addition to Steve, Cris is survived by her parents, Salvador and Maria Asuncion (Marichu) Padilla; her siblings, Gina (Jim) Walljasper and Salvador (Julie) Padilla Jr.; her nephews and niece, Matthew (Melissa) Proffitt, grand-niece Thalia, Joshua (Kristen) Proffitt, grand-nephews Jackson and Jacob, Zachary Walljasper, Antonio (Ximena) Padilla, and Amanda Padilla.

Cris is now resting peacefully in the arms of her beloved grandmother Dolores Reyes Ordinario (Lola Ging).

A Funeral Mass will be held on May 18 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church in Mint Hill NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Cris’ memory to the American Cancer Society (ACS) for Pancreatic Cancer Research to continue her legacy of caring for loved ones and for finding a cure for pancreatic cancer.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.