Wilhelmina L. Magyawe

RN BSN MN CCRN

DECEMBER 12, 1948 – NOVEMBER 20, 2023

Wilhelmina LG Magyawe, better known as Minna, was born in Quezon City, Philippines and passed away at midnight November 20 at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, Nyack, NY. She is survived by her husband, Joselito P. Magyawe (Peping); her son, John-Paul; her daughter, Johannah-Joy; as well as countless family members, including two of her four siblings, Cynthia G. Sayers and Dave L. Guerrero.

Minna was a beloved member of her immediate and extended family. A devoted and loving wife. A supportive and loving mother. A trusted confidant and kindred spirit to her relatives, friends, and co workers. A hardworking and compassionate woman who loved to give more than to receive.

Minna was a Registered Nurse, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1971 and her Master of Nursing with a Major in Adult Medical Surgical Nursing in 1979; both from the University of the Philippines in Padre Faura St., Manila. She was a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) and a Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN). Many awards and honors were earned for her excellency in nursing during her working years including the Nurse Excellence Award in 1991 & 1992. She was inducted to the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society – Epsilon Rho Chapter in 1995.

Minna spent her years from 1975-1983 at the Philippine Heart Center for Asia as a Clinical Instructor and Research Assistant in Quezon City and the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada before immigrating to the United States with her family. In 1983, she began working at Nyack Hospital (now Montefiore Nyack Hospital) in the Medical Intensive Care Unit and the Surgical Intensive Care Unit mostly on night shift. In 1999, she also began teaching part time as a Clinical Instructor for Clinical Care Adult Nursing at Dominican College in Orangeburg, NY. Though her tenure ended at Nyack Hospital in 2013, Minna still served as a traveling Nurse and Home Health Care Nurse for many years until her body could no longer take the hours on the road.

Though Minna excelled at nursing and loved her patients, her passions lied in theatre, art, dance, music and her spiritual journey. She frequented many a school play or musical well after her children left school, enjoyed regional shows in and around Rockland County and loved going into New York City to see countless Broadway Plays, Musicals, and Dance productions. She found a love in creating art using water color paints, oil pastels and taking photos with her manual Canon. She loved Latin Ballroom Dancing, taking many classes in various styles including Salsa, Bachata, and Cha Cha. If there was a dance floor, she’d be on it and take you with her. She attended museums and exhibitions, sang in Church Choir, taught Bible study to children and was a member of the International Christian Fellowship, as well as Beth Am Messiah.

Giving herself to her community, Minna was a Charter Member and former Officer for the Rockland Centennial Lions Club, a Member and former Officer of the AACN - Hudson Highland Chapter, a member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and a Founding Member of the SeventyOnward Foundation, Inc. (SOFI) with her UP classmates.

Minna’s physical presence will be missed but we will rejoice in the knowledge that she has joined her Lord God and Jesus in Heaven and will care for us from above. The influence she had in all of those she touched will forever be carried in our hearts.

A visitation for Wilhelmina will be held Sunday, December 10, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Service Inc., 321 S Main St, New City, New York 10956. A visitation will occur Sunday, December 10, 2023 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, 321 S Main St, New City, New York 10956. A funeral service will occur Monday, December 11, 2023 at 10:00 AM, 321 S Main St, New City, New York 10956.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MJHigginsNewCity.com for the Magyawe family.