Juanita Quiocho Villaruz

Juanita was born on November 23, 1934, in Rancho, Santa, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. She was one of six children born to Melecio and Francesca Quiocho. She went to the local primary school which required school uniforms, and Juanita recalled to her family many times that she walked to school barefoot, running from tree to tree to cool her feet in the shade. During World War II, when Japan invaded the Philippines, their home was taken over, and Juanita’s parents fled with their children to hide in the mountains with other family members until it was safe. The war made a strong impact on her by interfering with her education for two years, but she continued her studies and wanted to become a nurse. Juanita met Louie Villaruz when she brought a watermelon to him to eat during his visit home from America. The two were married in May 1958 and immigrated to the United States later that year. They made their home in Delano, where Louie, his cousins and several townmates had already settled, working as farm laborers.

Juanita and Louie began their family with the birth of daughter Suzanne in 1959; followed by daughter Arleen just 11 months later. Juanita and Louie were blessed with a son, Lounito, in 1966 completing their family. They worked hard in the fields to provide for their kids.

Joining other family members and friends, Louie and Juanita were farm laborers in Kern and Tulare counties. They were involved in the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC), the union which would later join with the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) to create the United Farm Workers. Both Juanita and Louie were present at the historic vote to strike on September 8, 1965, which began The Delano Grape Strike. Juanita and Louie participated in union activities, with Juanita working and writing for El Malcriado, the UFW newspaper because of her education and being trilingual, almost quadrilingual - understanding Ilocano, Tagalog, English, and Spanish. Juanita and Louie were passionate about social justice before the term was coined.

In 1970, Juanita found herself having to support her three young children on her own due to Louie’s sudden tragic death. At the time of this loss, Juanita was already enrolled and training at Porterville State Hospital (later called Porterville Developmental Center). Juanita worked as a psychiatric technician in the children’s division of the hospital and treated her patients with the same care as she would her own family. She also represented fellow employees while serving on the affirmative action committee. Juanita worked there for 25 years, retiring from the State of California in 1995. She was a skilled and dedicated employee.

As a member of many different organizations, Juanita stayed extremely active in the Filipino community. She was a charter member of the Filipino-American (Fil-Am) Cultural and Educational Association and served as president from 1976–77 and also was a recipient of a scholarship sponsored by the Fil-Am. Juanita was a charter member of Filipino American Political Association, serving as secretary on the board with Larry Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz and Willie Barrientos. She was a member of the Filipino Catholic Association, Legionarios del Trabajo, the Filipino Community of Delano, and the Sons of Santa, of which she was a past president. She was honored as 2012 Philippine Weekend Grand Marshal with her two daughters, Suzanne and Arleen; and was named 2016 Senior Citizen of the Year by the Filipino Community of Delano. Juanita always had a sense of service and participation in her community which she undoubtedly passed down to her children.

Juanita was a doting mother and grandmother and the epitome of a caregiver. She loved her children, grandchildren and family with her entire heart. Juanita showed her love through her support of their education, encouragement to participate in their community and, best of all, her cooking. Her dishes were the absolute best, and her children and grandchildren will always try to replicate her recipes. As with many cooks, she never measured - it was all based on taste, color and smell. Her best dishes were her adobos (pork, chicken, squid), Paella Valenciana, won tons, lumpia, pancit, pinakbet, sotanghon and arroz caldo. Juanita was also a very good seamstress, often sewing matching dresses for Suzanne and Arleen. She even sewed their high school cheer uniforms.

Because she became widowed at such a young age, Juanita was a strong, independent woman before the term became so popular. She was head of a household raising three young children alone, and to do so, she worked full time to provide for her family. And when she took her vacation time from her regular job, she would work in the fields for extra money. She had lots of side jobs like selling insurance, costume jewelry, Mary Kay cosmetics, etc. This was so she could support Suzanne and Arleen in high school, and Lou’s tuition to go to St. Mary’s Catholic School. Her sacrifices were many and she never complained. And when her children had outgrown clothes and toys, Juanita made sure they were sent to family members in the Philippines. Juanita also petitioned for countless relatives to immigrate to the U.S. from the Philippines; and took care of cousins and townmates who were here in Delano that had no close relatives.

Juanita cared for each of her grandchildren as babies until they were ready for school; she cared for her elder brother; and was often seen taking family members who needed rides to doctor appointments or to run errands; and she hardly ever missed the opportunity to see her grandchildren perform in all of their activities. Band competitions, dance recitals, pageants, cross country meets, basketball games, parades - even if a grandchild was sitting in the back of a pickup truck - she was there proud to point out her grandchild to whoever was around her.

Juanita loved to travel. She traveled to Washington, DC, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park, and Hawaii. Her favorite international destinations included Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Ireland, England, and of course, her monthlong pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where she was able to attend Mass in St. Peter’s Square. She always brought back souvenirs for her children and grandchildren during each of her adventures and told stories of how beautiful her trips were.

Juanita was preceded in death by her husband, Louie; her siblings, Jose, Veronica, Isaac, Magdalena and Peregrina; and her parents.

Juanita is survived by her children, Suzanne Villaruz (Arnold Morrison); Arleen Villaruz-Gonzales (Anthony Gonzales) and Lounito Villaruz, all of Delano; her grandchildren, Nicole Villaruz (David Ramirez) of Bakersfield; Aaron Gonzales and Aubree Lou Gonzales of Delano; and her great grandchildren, Thomas Isaac Ramirez and Violet Grace Ramirez. She is also survived by her niece Josefina Villaruz and nephew Lope Quino, Jr., as well as many other nephews, nieces and cousins.

The family would like to thank her very special caregivers: Juliet, Myrna, Kathleen and Karen.

A visitation for Juanita will be held Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Delano, 707 Browning Road, Delano, CA 93215. A rosary will occur Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, 707 Browning Road, Delano, CA 93215. A mass of christian burial will occur Friday, September 23, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Mary's of the Miraculous Medal Parish, 916 Lexington St., Delano, CA 93215. A committal service will occur Friday, September 23, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at North Kern District Cemetery, 627 Austin St., Delan o, CA 93215.

Pallbearers are Lounito Villaruz, Aaron Gonzales, Anthony Gonzales, Arnold Morrison, David Ramirez, Jay Tamsi and Lope Quino, Jr. Honorary Pallbearers are Arthur Bajet, Edmund Bajet, Ronnie Bajet, Ferdinand Quino, Romulo Villaruz, Erwin Villaruz, Eddie Villaros, Benny Villaros, Richard Quiocho and Ludger Quiocho.

Juanita Quiocho Villaruz was a hard worker, a devout Catholic, a volunteer, loved her family and friends, but her greatest role was that of mother and grandmother. Love you forever, the beautiful Queen of our hearts.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.delanomortuary.com for the Villaruz family. Services entrusted to Funeraria Del Angel Delano, a Dignity Memorial provider.