Obituary
Purisima “Nita” San Juan (nee Laserna), 86, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2020, in Orlando, Florida after a lingering illness.
She was born on May 16,1934 in Manila, Philippines to Jose Laserna and Amparo Retodo Laserna (both deceased). Her simple charm and grace were nurtured by the strict guidance of the Belgian nuns at St. Theresa’s College in Quezon City, Philippines where she finished her grade school and high school education. She then received her Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, the oldest university in Asia.
In1989, Nita moved to Seattle, Washington where in 1999, she retired from the National Asia-Pacific Center for Aging to fully enjoy her hobbies including knitting, crocheting, sudoku, puzzles and solitaire. She also loved reading biographies of both the famous and infamous people. In 2013, she moved to Orlando to enjoy the kinder climate of Florida where she became a surrogate mother to her new-found family of friends.
She was a beloved and devoted mother to Tess Brown (Robert) of Seattle, WA Marivic Caluag (Ramon) of Orlando, FL, Maricel Monfort (Gerry) of Silay City, Philippines, Jet San Juan (Raquel) of Deptford, NJ, Joey San Juan (Olivia) of Seattle, WA, Jim San Juan (deceased), Jojo San Juan (deceased) and Beng Bautista (Antonio) of Orlando, FL. She was a loving grandmother to Carlo, Miguel, Raffy & Joel Mondonedo; Christine, Martin and Adrian Caluag; Tricia and Dindin Monfort; Nick & David San Juan, Alexa San Juan; and Anton and Mentit Bautista. She was also a cherished great-grandmother to Sophie & Audrey Mondonedo; Hana, Vienna & Flossy Caluag; Jake Monfort, Ali Enabe & Via Cuenca.
She was a cherished sister to Patria Valena (Dominador) and Maria Dulzura Alcantara (Sol) – both deceased; and an adored aunt to her Valena and Alcantara nephews and nieces.
Nita dedicated her life to raising her children the best way she can. She was determined to give them a good future despite enduring many difficulties along the way. She had a heart for the poor and the needy and gave to many charities in the Philippines and in the US, many times unbeknown to her children. She would always say that it is better to be the one giving than to be the one in need. Shy as she was, she will be remembered by her family and friends for her beauty, her caring nature, her contagious sense of humor and very generous heart.
Nita was a devout Catholic who loved to read the Bible and sing praise & worship songs. Throughout the many trials in her life, her testimony of God’s unfailing love and mercy enabled many others to come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Her immense faith in God is reflected by her life-verse found in John 14:2-4, “In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
In the final hours of her life, God, in His Mercy allowed Nita to see all of her children one last time before welcoming her into His Kingdom.
In keeping with her wishes, a private memorial services will be held in Orlando,FL. She will then be brought to Seattle, WA at a later date where services will be held before she is finally laid to rest. Those who wish to honor her memory can perform acts of kindness in her name. Those who wish to make a donation may send it to:
Saint James Cathedral
c/o Senior Ministries
Sunday Ministry to the Elderly and Homebound
804 Ninth Avenue, Seattle WA 98104
or go online:
https://www.stjames-cathedral.org/narthex.aspx —> GIVING —> OTHER and write in Sunday Ministry to the Elderly and Homebound in memory of PURISIMA LASERNA SAN JUAN.
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