Victoria Cruz Manibusan

It is with great sadness that the family of Victoria “Lolang” Manibusan (née Cruz) announce her passing on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the age of 80. She was surrounded by those she loved most at her passing.

Victoria was born on Guam on December 21, 1942. After high school, she moved to the mainland where she eventually fell in love and married Francisco C. Manibusan in Long Beach, California. They settled down in Eugene, Oregon, and together they built a loving life with their son John. She worked for Sacred Heart Hospital for several years and was socially active and participated in various clubs and organizations. Her love of roses led her to become an active member and officer of the Eugene Rose Society. Her fondest memories were of the times she spent in Eugene with close friends and family.

Victoria and her husband moved back to Guam in the 1980s where she spent time working for the Government of Guam. She became a world traveler and visited places that she once dreamed about such as Australia, the South Pacific, Hong Kong, Portugal, and Italy, among others. Mostly, however, she enjoyed spending time with her sisters talking and eating into the wee hours of the morning, long after their husbands nodded off.

Victoria spent the last 20 years of her life in Northern Virginia after her husband's passing so she could be close to her grandchildren, Christina and Jonah. Watching her grandchildren grow up was her greatest joy. During her time in Northern Virginia she developed close bonds with her neighbors at Morris Glen Senior Residents, especially those she played cards with on a regular basis. She was fondly referred to as the "matriarch" of the building. She enjoyed watching old Hollywood movies, crafting her own holiday and birthday cards for others, chewing betel nut, and eating crunchy tacos from Taco Bell.

Victoria will be lovingly remembered and missed by her son, John; her daughter-in-law, Mary; grandchildren, Christina and Jonah; siblings, Francisca Kissinger, Teresita Paulino, Lourdes Bamba, Edward Cruz, Jean Cruz, Patricia Crisostomo, Anthony Cruz, and Elaine Guerrero; as well as numerous other family members and close friends.

Victoria was predeceased by her parents, Paterno and Concepcion Cruz; and siblings, Josefina Cruz, David Cruz, and Frank Cruz.

A funeral mass will be held to celebrate her life on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 7600 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, Virginia, 22152. A livestream of the mass will be available.

We thank all of our family and friends who offered their support and condolences during this difficult time. Finally, we wish to thank the staff at INOVA Alexandria Hospital for their compassionate and tender care.