Lolita Gonda Ilagan

Our beloved mother, Lolita Gonda Ilagan, of Houston, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2023. She was 79 years old. Lolita or “Lolit,” as she was known by family and friends, was born in Brgy. Rizal, Bauan, Batangas, Philippines, and was the oldest of four children and the only daughter. Driven by the goal of having a better life for her and her family, she graduated from the Mary Johnston School of Nursing, became a Registered Nurse, and emigrated to the United States (Chicago, Illinois) as an exchange visitor nurse in 1967. She worked diligently to support her family and spent most of her 41-year career as a nurse at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston, Texas.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and generosity both here in the United States and in the Philippines. Whether it was helping finance family members’ college education or the improvement of public spaces in her native Brgy. Rizal, she will always be remembered for her genuine desire to improve people’s livelihoods.

Her strength and love will continue to live on in her surviving family members: her husband of 54 years, Emiliano (“Mel”); her 3 children: Gary (Jereza), Mel, Jr., and Brian; and her 6 grandchildren: Chloe, Karin, Sophie, Scarlett, Mel Gregory, and Ian. She also leaves behind 2 brothers, Eduardo (Antonieta) and Danilo (Nida), as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sixta and Juan, and brother, Manuelito.

A Memorial Service Mass will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church, 13350 Ashford Point Dr., Houston, TX 77082.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in memory of Lolita Gonda Ilagan to MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486 or https://gifts.mdanderson.org/.