Rosita died at the age of 95 on Friday, November 8, 2019, in Phoenix, Arizona, at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. She was born to father Felipe Lagasca and mother Cresencia Pagaduan in Maui, Hawaii, on August 30, 1924, and they moved to Tarlac, Philippines when she was 12 years old. In the Philippines, Rosita finished her education through primary school.
Rosita was a homemaker and wife to Bartolome Macarulay Pagalunan (celebrated 46 years of marriage before his death in 1991) and mother to 10 children. She is preceded in death by her children Chona Pagalunan (1 year old), Dante Pagalunan (40 years old), and Bart Pagalunan, Jr. (30 years old). She is survived by 7 of her children: Nena Orillaza, Nelia Casas, Zeny Gacutan, Emma Rosales, Wilfredo Pagalunan, Chita Pagalunan, and Eva Tupas.
Rosita came to USA, in Chicago on 1981 and moved to Arizona in February of 1989. She is remembered as an active member of the Filipino Club of Arizona, a lover of cooking, and a superwoman to the grandchildren she helped raise.
The visitation will be held from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Friday, November 15, 2019 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, with the prayer of the Rosary at 6:00 PM. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, November 18, 2019 at 10:00 AM at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation that will be equally distributed to the Filipino Club of Arizona for building maintenance/repair , Philippine Nurses Association of Arizona, KOR and Phoenix Phil- Am Lions club for humanitarian purposes.