Letitia Alcantara

Letitia ”Lettie” Alcantara of Las Vegas, NV passed away on Tuesday morning February 25, 2025, at Southern Hills Hospital after a courageous battle with dementia and other complications. She was 82 years old and leaves a legacy of love, joy, and a vibrant spirit that will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Lettie was born August 22, 1942, in Manila, Philippines to Jesus and Sinforosa Gatchalian. She was married to Aquilino P. Alcantara Jr. and enjoyed life surrounded by many family and friends.

Lettie was educated at Espiritu Santo Parochial School of Manila, Saint Theresa High School and Saint Theresa’s College in Manila Philippines. At Saint Theresa’ College, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Foreign Service in 1962. Lettie inherited a strong sense of adventure from her mother, Sinforosa, who worked for Philippine Airlines. Soon after graduation, Lettie decided to move to New York City to seek new and exciting opportunities. There, she married Aquilino P. Alcantara Jr, “Aljun” on June 2, 1970. They had three children: Aquilino III “Keith”, Albert and Celeste. Through the years, they raised their children respectively in Queens, Long Island and Chestnut Ridge, Rockland County, New York.

In 1967, shortly after moving from the Philippines, Lettie found employment in New York City as a shipping assistant with UNICEF, (United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund), the agency that works to protect children’s rights and welfare. Her tenure there lasted 30 years and ended with an early retirement at age 55. She was a dedicated employee who appreciated working in New York City, where all the action was; she loved hanging out with her friends, trying new restaurants, attending Broadway shows and most of all, shopping!

At home, she was a dedicated full-time working wife and mother, making sure her children experienced all the good things that life has to offer and taught them that religion and faith in God should always be an important part of their lives. Lettie’s deep Catholic faith rooted from her parents and her many years attending Catholic school, found her present at mass almost daily, reciting novenas, praying the rosary, or journeying on a religious pilgrimage. With a strong upbringing of family first, their home in Rockland County, NY was large enough for Lettie’s mother and father to retire and live comfortably with Lettie and her family. Lettie’s mothers’ love for casinos soon rubbed off on everyone, as many weekends were spent taking trips to Atlantic City, NJ.

Aljun and Lettie shared a love for traveling. Her travels found her all over the world, especially to visit family in the Philippines. Stopovers to the Philippines from New York, included, Japan, South Korea, Hawaii and… Las Vegas! Here, Las Vegas was a perfect match for their enjoyment of the casinos. In 1997, they built a home in Henderson, NV and retired there due to their tremendous fondness for Las Vegas. Lettie grew to love the area deeply, establishing her roots where St Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church became her second home. She was a well-known active parishioner of the church, volunteering at the gift shop, serving as a eucharistic minister there as well as other senior communities in the surrounding area. Lettie spent these years of retirement with her closest friends and family, finding her at the center of a community that flourished in Las Vegas genuinely enjoying life.

Being a grandmother was just as important as anything else to Lettie during these years. Known to her beloved grandchildren as “Nana” she spent time joking around and playing games with them. UNO was one of their favorite games to play together.

In 2019, Lettie was formally diagnosed with dementia. For the next several years, her family did their best to cope with the condition that was very unpredictable. In 2021, Lettie began to live with her daughter and her family in Tennessee. There, she attended memory care programs, engaging in activities, playing games and always making friends. Everyone loved her there and Lettie became the spirit and face of what the programs meant to accomplish. In 2023, Lettie moved back to Las Vegas in a memory care home where she spent her last few years. She was the most active resident there with lots of visits from family and friends. Her son, Keith, would often perform music therapy for Lettie and the residents to enjoy.

Lettie’s battle with dementia was a courageous one. Her family and friends did what they could to keep her infectious spirit alive. Even in her most difficult years, she did her best to always find humor in anything.

Lettie had a vibrant, easy going and spontaneous personality. She enjoyed hosting and attending social gatherings, was the life of every party and never took things too seriously. To no one’s surprise, Lettie loved wearing bright colors and never left the house without makeup or jewelry. She never passed up the opportunity to crack a joke or two, even at her own expense and had the gift of making friends with anyone. Her contagious smile attracted all to listen to her most animated stories. Lettie will fondly be remembered for her lovable sense of humor, devotion to family and friends, and her deep, unwavering Catholic faith that truly guided her through a life filled with many, many blessings.

Lettie is survived by her husband, Aquilino P. Alcantara Jr; her sons, Aquilino Alcantara III “Keith” and Albert Alcantara, wife Amy, her daughter Celeste, husband Stan Spence, her beloved grandchildren Mia and Aubrey Spence, Haley and Evan Alcantara. She is also survived by her brothers, Raoul Gatchalian, wife Marina, and Eric Gatchalian, wife, Lillian and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Letitia was Pre-Deceased by her father, Jesus and her mother, Sinforosa.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local memory care program or the national Alzheimer’s Association.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church 2300 Sunridge Heights Pkwy Henderson, NV 89052 at 10:00am, Friday March 21, 2025, in Henderson, NV.

Interment of ashes will be held at 2:00pm Palm Eastern Mortuary and Cemetery 7600 S. Eastern Ave Las Vegas, NV 89123.