OBITUARY
Carmelita Gaza Lapus, M.D.
April 12, 1944 – March 23, 2021
Carmelita Gaza Lapus, M.D., née Pali Gaza of Missouri City, Texas, boarded her flight to Heaven on Tuesday morning, March 23, 2021 at the age of 76. She was born on April 12, 1944, in Malabon, Rizal, Philippines to Teodorica Pali and Victor Gaza.
Carmelita or “Baby” to family and friends was a product of St. James Academy, a Catholic school in Malabon that was run by the Maryknoll sisters. Later, she obtained her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Santo Tomas in 1967. To further her study in the field of Anesthesiology, she was accepted as an intern in 1970 by Mercy Catholic Hospital in Philadelphia. In 1971 she was accepted by Massachusetts General Hospital for their residency program in Anesthesiology. At the suggestion of her future husband, she applied for and accepted a position in Houston at The Baylor College of Medicine program in Anesthesiology where she had the privilege of working with two of the most renowned heart surgeons at that time, Dr. Michael DeBakey and Dr. Denton Cooley. Upon passing her Texas State Board Medical exams and Anesthesiology Board exams in 1974 and 1975, respectively, she was appointed Assistant Professor of Anesthesia by Baylor College of Medicine. While at Baylor, she was informally voted by her colleagues as their “Bunny of the Year” for working even while pregnant with her future children throughout the 1970's.
In 1978, missing the Catholic atmospheres of the University of Santo Tomas Hospital and Mercy Catholic Hospital, Carmelita decided to work at St. Joseph’s, a Catholic hospital in downtown Houston, then run by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word. She worked there until 1988, from there she worked at various hospitals up until a little over a month before her passing.
Carmelita is preceded in death by her son Carl Philipp Gerard Lapus (Dec. 4, 1975 - Jan. 5, 1976), her parents Teodorica and Victor Gaza, and her siblings, Zenaida Buensuceso, Dr. Justina G. Bernardo, Gloria P. Gaza, Felipe P. Gaza and Victor P. Gaza, and one overprotective family dog, a Lhasa Apso who sometimes responded to his name, Rocky, and always responded to a Milk-Bone. Carmelita is survived by her loving and patient husband of nearly 50 years Carlos Lapus, who ensured his wife lived surrounded by orchids, tulips, and roses, her children Theodore (an attorney), Robert (a physician), and Angela (also a physician), her daughter-in-law Janette, a nurse and wife to Robert, and their two children, Lucy and Josh, who miss their grandma very much.
Carmelita is also survived by her nieces and nephews: The children of her sister, Zenaida G. Buensuceso and Jose L. Buensuceso: Vicky Cleveland (who graciously helped keep an eye on Carmelita’s children during their early years), Maria Asuncion Buensuceso, Jean Marie B. Daly, and Dr. Lizza B. Gob. The children of her sister, Justina G. Bernardo and Alipio Bernardo: Patricia B. Pascual, Lynette B. Adelino, Abigail B. Mangulabnan.
The child of her brother, Felipe P. Gaza and Ramona R. Gaza: Victor R. Gaza. The children of her brother Victor P. Gaza Jr. and Purita A. Gaza: Kristin Pia Robles, Victor A. Gaza III, Nina G. Robles, and Ronald A. Gaza.
A wake where Carmelita’s life will be remembered will be held on Monday, March 29, 2021 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home on 12555 S Kirkwood Rd, Stafford, Texas 77477. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 2:00pm at Holy Rosary Church on 3617 Milam St, Houston, Texas 77002.
Following the funeral mass, Carmelita will be laid to rest at Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home and Cemetery on 13102 North Freeway, Houston, Texas 77060. When Carmelita is laid to rest, Carl Phillip will be moved from his resting site, and will be reunited with his mother.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to: Holy Rosary Church, 3617 Milam St, Houston, Texas 77002, where Carmelita and Carlos were married in 1971.
https://www.osvonlinegiving.com/248/DirectDonate/5051 Or Bennett’s Bears - a charity for children with cancer https://www.bennettsbears.org/donate/ Also, consider celebrating her life by ordering her favorite dish. #66 Salted Toasted Pork Spareribs at Shanghai Restaurant. 9116 Bellaire Blvd. Houston, Texas 77036. Open 12p-8p. Closed Wednesday https://www.yelp.com/biz/shanghai-restaurant-houston
Services
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Visitation
Monday, March 29, 2021
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Funeral Mass
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Memories
Carmelita Gaza Lapus, M.D.
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYMary Gregory
March 31, 2021
Carlos,
Greg and I were deeply sadden to hear of Carmelita's passing. She was a wonderful, kind and generous lady, Heaven received angel. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of grief. God bless you all.
Love,
Mary and Greg Gregory
Danilo Deano
March 30, 2021
Danny Deaño Illinois
Our condolence and sympathies. Just you always remind everyone, "Carpe diem" and always enjoy the moment because we never know when God in all His mysterious ways will call any of us home. May she rest in peace in the company of Erlinda and all her friends and l oved ones who have gone before her to be with our Lord. Amen.
Sincerely, Danny and Leila Deano UST MED Class 67
Corazon Gemil
March 30, 2021
My memories of Baby G.-Lapuz are that of a warm, meek, humble , affectionate friend. I envision her now in God’s company and will pray that she interceed for us as we await our turn. My prayers are of gratitude for God’s blessing in sharing her with us.Attach is a photo of our days in Phila. with classmates visiting us. Coragem.
mike LOJO
March 30, 2021
Carlos,
I am so sad to hear of the death of your wife, Carmelita. I did not recognize her in the young photo, only after seeing the family photo of you and her did I realize I was reading about the amazing life of your wife and your part in this marriage of LOVE of more than 50 years. Today one of the 4 rosaries I pray daily and the Divine Mercy Chaplet will be for her soul and the consolation of your family.
DoN RUDY LIZARDO
March 30, 2021
SINCERE CONDOLENCES AND DEPEST SYMPATHY
TO YOUR FAMILY!!! MAY SHE REST IN PEACE...
DoN RUDY/ LORIE DIZA LIZARDO (NJ)
HENRIETTA KIAMZON
March 30, 2021
Dear Baby Gaza, I pray and wish for you to have eternal peace and happiness with Our Lord, Mama Mary, St Joseph and our beloved classmates forever and ever. ...Girlie Velasco Kiamzon
Rachel Lapus
March 29, 2021
Auntie Baby as I fondly remember was a very religious person. She attended mass every day and at night prayed the Holy Rosary and The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy with the family. She was also a kind and generous person, she and Uncle Charlie welcomed and treated me like their daughter when I stayed with them for almost 6 months in the year 2000 to 2001. I have a lot of beautiful memories of Auntie Baby but the best is how we ate crawfish with gusto! Before eating, she would prepare the dining table by covering it with newspapers then prepare her dipping sauce of vinegar with garlic before we dug in! We would always feel excited every time Uncle Charlie buys lbs and lbs of crawfish for dinner. Thank you Auntie Baby for all the wonderful and memorable memories we shared, I will always keep them in my heart❤️!
Tricia Punsalan
March 29, 2021
Dr carmelita and her husband were so sweet to visit my mom when she was hospitalized at memorial hermann in 2017 for her first aneurysm rupture. She was very caring and concerned and actually came several days to bring us a meal while offering emotional support. It was such an emotional journey to sit in the waiting room day after day as they monitored mom's ventricular drain and she made slow progress. But eventually by Gods mercy, mom stabilized that time! I will never forget the kindness of Mr and Dr Lupus. I didn't feel so alone whenever they would show up and they helped us carry our cross. Thank you so much .May you rest in peace.
Also on another note i was so impressed by her training and that she was on faculty with the Baylor College of Medicine. She was a very talented physician and well respected in the medical community.
Andres Alisuag Jr
March 28, 2021
In 1962, I was one of 9 freshman students who joined the Glee Club. I cannot exactly remember the reason for joining the club, but it turned out to be a wonderful experience. Baby was one of four ladies who joined. We all dutifully attended the rehearsals after classes, with Josie Ouano as the conductor/president. I remember Baby as somewhat reserved but she always had a warm friendly smile and kind disposition. She was not as gregarious as Vicky Garcia, Dulce Estrella or Perla Gomeri but she projected herself with confidence. Our choral group competed with groups from other schools, but the activity that I enjoyed most was caroling during Christmas season when we would be visiting people’s homes. With the relaxed atmosphere, this event did not require too much preparation and we sang songs that we were familiar with. Oh, there was the “Broadway goes to Medicine” production with excerpts from The King and I, Westside Story, My Fair Lady and Oklahoma. Charlie may have heard Baby singing some of the songs from the play. The show was a big success, since it was the first time that such a big event was produced by the young club.
Knowing the spiritual life that she lived, she will have a special place reserved by our Good Lord in heaven. May her soul rest in peace and may Jesus grant Charlie and the family the comfort and strength in these difficult times.
Liza Borja
March 28, 2021
I have fond memories of Baby and her very yummy Profiteroles in High School! We’d go and celebrate Parish fiestas in her house in San Bartolommeo, Malabon.
I’ve never seen Baby in the few ‘67 Med class reunions that I’ve attended but she did go to a high school reunion in Vegas we had in 2009.
She will be remembered and missed always . I’m glad that I was able to see her last time in 2013.
Cesar M. Reyes
March 28, 2021
To Baby's beloved family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy
And share with you this part of a poem:
Perhaps my time seems all too brief
Don't lengthen your pain with undue
grief
Lift up your heart and peace to thee
God wanted me and set me free
Rosie Elazegui
March 28, 2021
I will alwAys remember Carmelita” Baby” Gaza as the ever smiling, reserved classmate in Med school. I have not seen her since graduation in 1967 but I recall talking to her sometime before our Golden to encourage her to send something for our Golden book and for her to attend the reunion.
In some ways, I have reconnected through her husband, Charlie pieces of her life in his emails.
And what a life it was... through her health journey, she was the epitome of an exemplary patient. Did not even tellMarina that she was ill and in the hospital.
I pray for the repose of her soul.
O loving Father, Source of all life, please accompany your servant, Carmelita from this earth, to the kingdom of heavenly peace, rest and eternal life that You have prepared for us.
Forgive any sins that have been committed, and welcome this departed soul into the joyful embrace of Your never-ending love, Amen
Perla Gomeri Gascon
March 28, 2021
Baby and I spent a lot of happy memories together in Medical school . We joined the Medical Glee Club with Dulce Estrella and other classmates. That’s how we formed a barkada with other students from the medical school. After our Glee Club practices we would go bowling with Paul Sambat, Danny Santiago,Andy Alisuag and others whose names I cannot recall. We love eating halo halo on the restaurant across from UST, the Aristocrat and Hot Dogs at Brown Derby. Christmas time we would join the Glee Club caroling our professors and other classmates home.
On later years we would date together with Menchie Gisbert and Mac Guerrero, her admirer Nic and my departed husband Art. We would go as far as Cavite to eat seafood and to other resorts. Later in life She encouraged me to go to Medjagorhe to seek for a miracle since I was in kidney failure. My prayers were answered. One month later I got a kidney transplant from my sister which lasted 28 years.
I have lots of nice memories and I am sad that she has gone ahead of me. I know she is a prayerful woman and she was blessed with receiving our Lord before meeting him in heaven. I honor her memory just like I have done for our other departed classmates with masses and nine days novena for her soul.
For Charlie and her sons you are so blessed to have Baby in your life . May the Lord give you strength to carry on knowing she is happy and pain free in heaven.
MARINA Guerrero
March 27, 2021
Memories And Prayers From Classmates: Manila, Philippines'
University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Class 1967
Written by Marina Guerrero Feliciano March 27, 2021 New York
Carmelita who we all call Baby Gaza was my seatmate in First Year Medicine, Fifth Floor
Room neighbor during our UST Residency. I was in OBGYN and Baby in Anesthesia. We
arrived in Philadelphia, PA, USA in 1970 as recruits of Cora Gemil at Misericordia Hospital.
Again we were at the same boarding house, ate together in the hospital cafeteria and chat
daily about our homesickness. I was loud and Baby was meek and just kept on smiling. I
sometimes picked up her daily love letter sent by Carlos Lapus from the Philippines and the
weekly flower bouquet ordered from the local florist by phone by Charlie. I did that when she
was on call. We both loved to travel, but could only afford to roam around. We took a bus to
Manhattan and on a snowy New Year's Eve From 1970 to 1971, we saw the Crystal Ball
dropped in Times Square. I think a guy was almost able to kiss her. I kicked the guy trying to
kiss me. We were unable to run, because Times Square was packed..With the very little salary
I had, I was able to buy in installment a cheap car, a Chevy Nova. One time off we decided to
drive to Toronto, Canada. But an hour later, still in Philly, I hit the back of a car in front of us.
We were slow, so no damage at all and no police report. We turned back to our boarding house.
We separated ways in July 1971. I moved to New York City for my OBGYN Residency and
Baby Gaza was admitted in Boston, MA for Anesthesia Residency. By that time Charlie Lapus
had arrived and they got married. We had not communicated for decades. But I kept her phone number and when I ask her a favor to visit sick friends in Houston hospitals, baby and Charlie
lovingly visit and bring them Filipino food. In March 22, 2021, I called her for an urgent matter,
she answered fast. At the end she
Veronica Ruiz
March 25, 2021
One of my fondest memories of Ms Carmelita (Dr. Lapus) was of her smiling while at mass (I had gone with the boys and Mr and Dr Lapus to mass) and there were several kids in the pew two rows in front that made listening/hearing difficult....I turned and saw her smiling and I asked why...she said “I am asking God so that I may hear angle’s voices ...” I then asked, “ does it work?” And she responded...”no, not always....” but she still had a smile on her face.