Josefina Penaloza

February 23, 1931 – June 16, 2014 Josefina de Leon Pealoza died at home in Ferris, Texas surrounded by her loving family.She was born in Jaen, Nueva Ecija, Philippines to parents Magno and Generosa Flaminiano de Leon.She is the second eldest of eight children. She received her Bachelor’s in Nursing from the University of Santo Thomas in 1956 where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.She took the second top score for the National Nursing License Board that year.Josefina later completed a Master’s Degree in Education at Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois.Her career was spent as a university nursing professor at several universities and nursing schools in the Philippines and in the Chicago, Illinois area.Education was a defining factor in Josefina’s life.She supported and encouraged her children and extended family both financially and emotionally to complete their education. In 1957, she married Dr. Antonio Reyes Pealoza, Jr.and together raised their four children, Arnulfo, Antonio, Jocelyn, and Janette.They emigrated as a family from the Philippines to the US in 1967 and raised their family in the Chicago area.She enjoyed seeing her children and later her seven grandchildren grow.Her faith, gardening, reading and spending time with her children and grandchildren brought her great joy. The last year and a half she was cared for, with great love, by her niece Tricilla Belnas.Josefina loved the Lord Jesus.And she joins her husband, Dr. Antonio R. Penaloza, Jr., in heaven, whom she missed dearly since his passing on December 2013. Josefina’s passing is grieved greatly by her son Arnulfoand wife Tess Pealoza and granddaughters Tracey and Andrea, her son Antonio and his wife Eunice Pealoza and granddaughters Charity Pealoza Russell and Aimee Pealoza, her daughter Jocelynand husband Tom Reynolds, with grandson Christopher Sigurdsson, and her daughter Janetteand husband Ervin Buba and granddaughters Gabriella and Olivia.Josefina also leaves behind her seven siblings, Trinidad Reyes, Celestino de Leon, Francisco de Leon , Pedro de Leon, Estelita Oliva, Zenaida Bayudan, and Julian de Leon.She was loved by so many and will be dearly missed.She will be remembered as a strong woman of great faith and great love. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qCUXO82Mh0