Modesta Fernandez Dizon

Born on September 12th, 1943, in Lingayen, Philippines to her late parents Venancio Fernandez and Noberta Torio Fernandez, Modesta shared her light, kindness, and soul with those around her for 82 years. Her life is a testament to unwavering compassion, dauntless resilience, and radiant joy.

For 28 years, Modesta served as a registered nurse – 20 of which were spent working in the E.R. at Norfolk Community Hospital. She received her white cap in the Philippines, where she worked until she and her late husband, Bobby Pajarillo Dizon, immigrated to the United States in 1965. As fate would have it, it is through her tireless work as a nurse that she and Bobby were first introduced.

Early in her nursing career, Modesta served as the charge nurse for a state hospital in Manilla. One evening as she was making her rounds, she noticed some of the other nurses crowding around a patient – chatting, laughing, and listening to his many stories. Not one for wasting time or ignoring the responsibilities owed to their other patients, Modesta scolded the nurses and promptly told them to return to their stations. While the other nurses may have been disgruntled by her strictness, Mauro Dizon, the patient that everyone had fawned over, was immediately fascinated by Modesta – sensing that she was one-of-a-kind.

Despite never being under Modesta’s direct care, Mauro wrote to his son, Bobby, and told him to thank the then Ms. Fernandez for her attentiveness in overseeing his care. And despite Modesta’s letters back to Bobby, informing him that she had not overseen his father’s care personally, Mauro’s matchmaking had already been set into motion – inextricably bringing together two perfect halves by mere chance.

And they were perfect for one another. Mauro’s intuition may have been the impetus, but it is because of the love they had for one another that Modesta and Bobby shared in such a rich life together. For 54 years, they weathered all that life threw their way – the good, the bad, and the many “yes dear”s that Bobby had come to learn were the best, and correct, response. They raised a family and served as an unshakable foundation as that family grew. And at the core of it all, was Modesta.

Ever a steadfast matriarch, Modesta was never one to shy away from a challenge. She cared for her two children between graveyard shifts at the E.R. and with Bobby being away on deployment for the Navy; she cared for her mother, Noberta, as her health worsened over the years; she cared for Bobby as they grew older. And through it all, Modesta was not only a pillar of devotion and care, but also of joy and revelry.

Modesta loved to dance – at any get-together you could always find her, impeccably dressed, dancing all night long and pulling even the most reluctant dancers onto the floor with her. She was also incredibly talented. While she would describe it as simply “keeping herself busy”, Modesta maintained a vibrant garden and created beautifully intricate crochet designs. To her friends, who knew her as “Moding”, she was always incredible company – whether it was lending an ear or sharing some of her own stories, Modesta had a way of making each moment together special.

All who knew Modesta will miss her deeply, especially the friends and family whose days were filled with her presence and whose lives are indelibly marked by her life and love. However, there is a small solace in knowing that she is once more reunited with her Bobby – who she has missed dearly.

Modesta is survived by her two children, Virginia Dizon Mollner and Bobby Dizon Jr., their spouses, Joseph Mollner and Ruby Arca-Dizon, and her seven grandchildren, Alyssa Dizon, Jakob Dizon, Zoe Mollner, Benjamin Dizon, Owen Mollner, Ethan Dizon, and Rafael Mollner. She also leaves behind two younger sisters – Estrellita “Panang” Tejada and Rizalina “Saling” Paragas.

To our Mom / Ninang / Grandma / Lola Modesta:

Miss na miss na namin, Lola. Pakibati na lang si Lolo para sa amin.1

1 Translated from Tagalog: We miss you so much, Lola. Say “hi” to Lolo for us.