Rebecca Mino Villa

"Anything is possible.” That is what Rebecca Mino Villa believed about life. She was a creative woman who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting her. She had faith in her ability to find those solutions. Rebecca was a person who believed that she could achieve whatever she set out to do.

Rebecca was blessed by her 42 year marriage to her loving husband Esteban Villa. Rebecca was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Rebecca was able to bring out the best in others. Rebecca was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to her spouse’s needs. She was a vibrant personality and she enjoyed verbally sparring with Esteban. In fact, those who knew her often remarked that Rebecca loved to argue for argument’s sake. She was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Esteban's.

Rebecca was blessed with two children, one daughter, Joy Jasmin Villa and one son, Michael Bixby Villa. She were also blessed with one granddaughter, Makayla Sophia Villa Zuberbier. Someone who was quick to laugh, Rebecca found it easy to spend lots of time with her children, but she was never overbearing or guilty of pushing herself on them.

She lived in the Phillipines as young girl and young lady. In her mid-20's she immigrated to Canada where she lived in Vancouver, British Columbia (5 years), Calgary, Alberta (3 years) and Surrey, British Columbia (18 years) until she was in her early 50's. She then moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, USA for the last season of life.

Her parents were Cipriano & Ester. Rebecca was raised in Manila, Philippines. She showed her ingenuity even as a child. When she was confronted with a problem, Rebecca could develop an imaginative solution, and she derived satisfaction from knowing she had that ability.

This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Rebecca's family relationships. Rebecca was raised with four siblings. She had an elder sister Remy & younger sister Rosie and two younger brothers Rolly and Rudy. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Rebecca was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

As a young girl, Rebecca could be found building and inventing new and different things. She was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. In her spare time she liked to bake.

Rebecca was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around her. She was interested in her friends’ activities and interests. She was sought after by people who recognized that she was generous with her time and energy, and these same friends found Rebecca to be very stimulating company. Rebecca's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around her. She became lifetime friends with Raquel Pagelazon, Tessie Esguerra, Lucy Lim, Morpha Caturay, Swan Song, Myrna Centeno, Vita, Gloria Crisostomo, Delores Villa, Linda Villa and Virgie Villaluz.

As a born inventor, Rebecca was definitely in her element in her work place. She could easily create new and innovative systems, was very organized, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Rebecca was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. She could assess all of the options before her and, using her analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. Her personal initiative inspired those around her. Rebecca was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to a colleague. Her primary occupation was clerical. She was employed at Precision Electronics, Murjani Industries, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Exxon, British Columbia Ministry on Environment, and Clark County. Rebecca always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

Rebecca's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for her. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since Rebecca was always searching for new and unusual activities, she developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things she became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew her, but most friends and family understood that Rebecca simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. Her favorite pursuits were baking, cake decorating, cooking, ballroom dancing, playing piano, travelling and researching real estate. Rebecca also participated in recreational sports including fishing and golf.

Rebecca was a generous person and often gave of her time and finances to help those less fortunate around her to have a better a life.

Rebecca's talents were well suited for being actively involved in professional and community organizations, something she did throughout her life. She enjoyed being involved and was willing to jump in and help out in most any situation. Rebecca could bring a breath of fresh air to any organization, simply by introducing her novel ideas and problem solving strategies. Throughout her later years, Rebecca was an active member of the Philippine Association of Secretary Toastmasters.

Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Rebecca. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Rebecca to expand her ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations included Hawaii, Mexico (Puerto Vallarta, Cancun), the Caribbean, Asia (the Philippines, Bali, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong), and Europe (London, England, Paris, France, Venice and Florence Italy, Austria, and Germany).

During her lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Rebecca. She met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Rebecca was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around her could not.

Rebecca passed away on Easter Sunday April 4, 2010 at Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rebecca fought a brave battle against cancer. She is survived by her husband, Esteban P. Villa, daughter, Joy Jasmin Villa, her son, Michael Bixby Villa, her granddaughter, Makayla Sophia Villa Zuberbier, her son-in-law Sean Zuberbier, and her daughter-in-law-to-be Annie Wang. Services were held at Palm Mortuary - Summerlin. Final resting place for Rebecca will be at the Villa Adelina Resort in Ajuy, Iloilo, Philippines.