Esther P. Baraquio - Obituary

sther Pico Baraquio, 89, of Fort Washington, MD passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2017 at Seasons Hospice in Randallstown, MD surrounded by her children. She was a resident of Prince George’s County, MD for over 50 years. She was born on January 27, 1928 in Ilog, Negros Occidental, Philippines to Jose Casilao Pico and Encarnacion Tacsagon Tababa and was the fourth of nine children. Esther married Jose Baraquio in 1958 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown, Washington, DC during the #10 ranked of all time DC Snowstorm of 1958 (14.4 inches). They celebrated thirty-nine years of marriage until his death in 1997. Esther worked as an Operating Room Nurse at Georgetown University Hospital for 5 years and then dedicated 25 years at Greater SE Community Hospital until her retirement. Esther was the ultimate caregiver…during her years working as an O.R. Nurse, she was busy caring for her husband, her two children, her patients and co-workers. During her retirement years, she was busy caring for two of her grandchildren, and then for her husband until his death. In their spare time, she and her husband enjoyed tending to their garden of Filipino and American vegetables and a wide variety of flowers. After his death, Esther continued to care for the garden through this past summer even during her illness. Also after his death, she kept herself busy by volunteering her time, and offering her talent and treasure to the various groups she belonged: Cenacle Family Prayer Group of St. Peter’s in Waldorf, Filipino Ministry and Spirit of the Living God Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group of St. Columba in Oxon Hill, Medical Missions of Mercy USA, VFW Post 5471 Ladies Auxiliary, and she even became a Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Port Tobacco. Esther leaves behind numerous family members who will cherish her memory: her children Maria Baraquio Birmingham (Thomas W. Jr.) of Waldorf, MD and Jose E. Baraquio (Gina) of North Royalton, OH; her grandchildren Alyssa and Thomas J. (TJ) Birmingham of Waldorf, MD, Brittany and Andrew Teasley of White Post, VA, and Zoe Baraquio of North Royalton, OH; her siblings Consolacion Espallardo (Bernardo) and Rodolfo Pico (Luz) of the Philippines, Alfonso Pico (Hedy) of Canada, Rogelio Pico (Isabel) and James Pico (Luisa) of Fort Washington, MD; her sister-in-law Aurora Pico; and her many nieces and nephews worldwide and extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly. Esther is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Matilde Pico and Juanita Brabo (Raymundo), and her brother Jose Pico. The family would like to thank Fr. Frederick Close, Fr. Timothy Baer, Fr. Daniel Leary and Fr. Gary Villanueva who came to visit at home and in the hospital to pray over her; the people who brought to her - Jesus ever present in the Holy Eucharist because her day was not complete without Him; and those who called – visited - brought food, beautiful plants and flowers - sent Mass cards and get well cards - and prayed with us the Holy Rosary and The Chaplet of Divine Mercy at the Holy Hour 3:00 pm. You remain in our prayers. Family will receive friends at George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 on Saturday, November 4, 2017 from 2-4 pm and 6-9 pm with Novena of the Faithful Departed at 7 pm and on Sunday, November 5, 2017 from 2-4 pm and 6-9 pm with Novena of the Faithful Departed led by Spirit of the Living God Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group of St. Columba at 7 pm. Viewing from 9:30 am until time of Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, November 6, 2017 at 10:30 am at St. Columba Catholic Church, 7800 Livingston Road, Oxon Hill, MD. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 8000 Woodyard Road, Clinton, MD 20735. Memorial donations may be made to Eternal Word Television Network, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210 or to Seasons Hospice Foundation, 6400 Shafer Court, Suite 700, Rosemont, IL 60018