Zuniega V. Calugas' Obituary
Zuniega “Goody” Viajar Calugas passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on December 28, 2022 in Tacoma, Washington at the age of 84.
Zuniega, fondly known as Goody, was born in Pavia, Iloilo, Philippines, the second of nine children. She graduated as the All-Round girl from Iloilo National High School in 1955 and went on to continue her studies at St. Paul’s School of Nursing in Iloilo where she graduated with highest distinction. Nursing forged her path to the United States, and in 1961 she moved to Houston, Texas to work at MD Anderson Medical Center. She spread her wings further, moving to Chicago, Illinois to work at Michael Reese Hospital.
Goody married her soulmate, Jose C. Calugas Jr. in 1964. Life in the military brought them to West Berlin, Germany. After a couple of years in West Berlin, Goody and Joe settled in Tacoma, Washington for the remainder of her life.
In Tacoma, Goody worked at Allenmore Hospital from 1966 to 1982 as the Director of Nursing, helping oversee its growth from a 50-bed hospital to 150 beds. She then worked as the Assistant Chief of Nursing Service for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center at American Lake, Washington where she ended her 25-year career as the Director of Nursing Geriatrics and Extended Care for the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. Goody valued education and professional development. She obtained her Bachelors in Arts in Business and Psychology from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington and her Masters in Business Administration from City University in Seattle, Washington.
Goody lived a full life and had a heart of service for others. She was a member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church from the time she married until the Lord called her home. She volunteered on the parish council and served as an acolyte for many years. Goody was also a board member of the American Lake Credit Union for 25 years and received the Outstanding Credit Union Volunteer award for the State of Washington in 2008. Goody and Joe were also very active with the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society, keeping the legacy of Filipino WWII veterans alive. Her generosity helped her siblings and other relatives complete their college degrees and move to the United States. She was a firm believer in the value of education and its ability to open doors of opportunity. Goody would take advantage of back-to-school sales and send much needed pencils, pens, books, and clothes to schools in the Philippines.
Together with her husband, Joe, they raised two daughters and enjoyed ballroom dancing, cruising the world, and gardening. She had the greenest green thumb and could make anything grow. She enjoyed sharing her flowers and plant cuttings with family and friends. In the summer, she often would bring flowers from her garden to adorn St. Leo’s. Goody truly lived up to her name. She was the essence of goodness: so generous, gracious, kind, and forever grateful, even in the midst of sickness. She had a strong faith in Jesus, often stating “Thank you, Jesus”, up until her last days. She was a light of positivity and inspiration to so many around her. Her smile lit up the room. Goody loved everyone and everyone loved her.
Goody leaves to cherish her memory, her loving and devoted husband of 58 years, Jose C. Calugas Jr.; daughter Cora (Albert) Chan; daughter Josephine (Jeff) Poirier; and granddaughters Sharla and Kayden Chan and Emily Poirier, 3 sisters, 2 brothers, and a host of family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Leo’s Food Connection or Social Ministry (710 South 13th Street, Tacoma, Washington 98405).
For those who would like to attend her funeral mass, but are unable to, plans are to have it live streamed on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 12:10 PM (Pacific Standard Time) on their YouTube channel “St. Leo Parish”: https://www.youtube.com/@st.leoparish4626/streams
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