Pacifica M Ancheta's Obituary
Pacifica Ancheta – fondly known as Paz by her family and friends – peacefully passed away on Friday, February 16, 2018. She was not alone, however, but surrounded by those closest to her: her husband, Joe, and her daughter, Jonnette, as well as her son-in-law and granddaughter. Born in Isabella, Philippines on September 25, 1931, Paz was eighty-six years old.
Paz is the fifth of seven children born to Apolinario and Juliana Miguel. She was a dedicated student and succeeded in receiving a Bachelor’s of Science in Home Economics from the Philippine Normal College and her Masters in Elementary Education. She began her career teaching in the provinces near her home in Isabella. It wasn’t until 1960 that Paz left the Philippines to live in America – having married Joe Ancheta who was in the U.S. Navy. As a military wife, she traveled all across the U.S. as she and her family moved every three years until her husband retired in 1978.
Settling down in Santa Maria marked a new chapter in their lives together. Paz continued her career as a teacher in the Santa Maria School District for 20 years – changing the lives of numerous students. Having grown up in the Philippines, she had a passion for sharing her culture and was very involved in the Filipino Community and Filipino Seniors Association in Santa Maria. She was President of the Filipino Community for two terms in the 1980’s. In her spare time she helped in raising money through caroling during Christmas and selling barbequed food with the Filipino community in order to present scholarships to local high school students to further their studies in college. She was also a woman of deep faith and regularly attended St Peter’s Episcopal Church for 35 years. Paz continued to be an active resident in the Santa Maria community from 1978 until 2013 when she and her husband made the decision to move closer to their daughter in Washington. Paz was the epitome of a selfless servant for Christ – having a passion for teaching others as well as helping the Santa Maria community in any way possible.
Paz was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her home was always open to relatives and friends. Memories of her delicious food and beautiful sewing will forever live on. Those traveling between San Francisco and Los Angeles always knew they could stop by her home to get a hot, home-cooked meal and a bed to rest on.
Pacifica is survived by her husband, Joe; her daughters and sons-in-law, Jonnette and Faron, and JoDee and Byron; her granddaughters, Calysta, Athena, Mahalea, Kaiulani, and Eveleena; and, in the Philippines, her sister, Edith, and brother, Apolinario, Jr.
A Celebration of life service will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home in the Aspen Chapel in Lakewood on March 23, 2018 at 10 a.m. Cards of condolence can be sent to 6824 19th Street West #320, University Place, WA 98466.
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