Ruby A. Vitangcol

Ruby Rafaela Alvaran Vitangcol, named after the nurses who attended her delivery, was born on July 22, 1949 to Belen Alvaran and Lope B. Vitangcol at Manila Sanitarium in Pasay City, Manila, Philippines. She died peacefully in her home in Upland, California on July 23, 2019 at the age of 70 after a lengthy illness. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, and is survived by her 3 siblings and 8 half-siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She grew up in Bataan where she was the outspoken favorite of her grandfather Jose. Ruby was known to suffer from lice during her childhood, and being the doting grandfather, he found what he thought was the best remedy for her. In a fortunate turn of events, he decided to try it first on the carabao. Indeed, the lice died, but then so did the carabao, and Ruby was spared of the lethal poison. She often went by the nickname, “Ube”, and was also dubbed the “Kapitan,”as she was well-known to everyone in her barrio. Though she suffered the loss of her mother at the age of 2, she was ever cheerful and happy-go-lucky. Every morning, she gathered her troop of friends together as they walked the half-mile to Bantan Elementary School where she attended from 1958-1964.

She graduated from Philippine Union College Academy in 1968 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Philippine Union College in 1972. She completed an internship at Manila Sanitarium, where she worked her first job. It was during this time that she became the second mother to her three nephews, “Boyet”, Rey, and Ric, as she helped care for them after the passing of their father.

She eventually immigrated to the United States in 1976, first living briefly in Cincinnati, Ohio with her brother, and then thinking better of the cold, sought sunnier skies and friends in California. She initially sought work in smaller hospitals, sometimes working up to three jobs at once, until she transferred to Kaiser Permanente, where she worked for 35 years until her retirement at age 64. During her working years, she loved to travel and embark on cruises with friends, and did so extensively, visiting multiple countries in Europe, Asia, South America, and the Caribbean.

Ruby’s ebullient personality was larger than life. As she did when she was younger, she would gather her friends and relatives for special occasions, and was ever the life of the party. You could always find her surrounded by family and friends in uproarious laughter, as she would recount her jokes, stories, and even teach non-Filipinos naughty words and phrases.

Everyone who knew her loved her. Her incredible generosity touched every friend and family member. She never turned away anyone who needed help. She supported family, loaned money even if she knew she wouldn’t be repaid, sent gifts to friends, family, and even to her alma mater in the Philippines. She would ensure ‘baon’ to the hungry and satisfied alike. She would bring ‘pasalubong’ after every trip, and was known to gift only the freshest, crispest bills. If a friend or family member was ill or in the hospital, she was likely the first to drop by and the last to leave, even if it was after work, and always with food. Even later in her life, when her health declined, she continued in her unselfish ways, ensuring that her caretakers had enough to eat and had enough rest. She never complained, and to everyone who asked how she was, she would reply, “I’m okay.”

She loved God who endowed her with her giving and gracious spirit, and died peacefully in the arms of Jesus. She was a most dutiful daughter, beloved sister, favorite auntie, and faithful friend. She will forever be in our hearts. May the generosity that flowed from her also flow from each and every one of us until we are reunited with her on that blessed resurrection morning.