Pilar Palacios Pe - Obituary

opic: In Memory of Pilar Palacios Pe Time: May 29, 2020 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 570 400 0177 Password: 123456 Pilar Palacios Pe was born on October 11, 1956 in Lagao, Philippines to Cesario Palacios and Paz Ubeda Palacios. She was the eighth of nine children, having four brothers and four sisters. The Palacios family were ranchers and farmers, and one of the first to settle the area in southern Mindanao known today as General Santos City. Pilar was raised between the family’s ranch (named Swiza), and their home in town, but regarded Swiza as her favorite place on Earth, always preferring simple, country living to the hectic bustle of city life. After finishing high school, she moved to the capital city of Manila to attend college. Later, pushed by an urge for adventure, she decided to explore the United States, not initially intending to make it her new home. She lived in New York City for some time, where she met her future husband, Odirolf. The couple married in 1983, eventually settling down on a farm in Charles County, Maryland, where they raised their two children. She was a woman of strength, courage, and honor, but knew never to take herself too seriously. A natural comedian and entertainer, she had the ability to lift the mood of everyone around her, brightening up any room with her presence and infectious laugh. She had an amazing sense of humor, shamelessly breaking out into song and dance whenever and wherever she felt it was necessary. Although she was a warm and loving wife and mother, she had a passion for caring that went beyond the role of a homemaker, and felt called into the nursing profession. For nearly thirty years, Pilar worked as a nurse, only stopping in April 2020, when she contracted the novel coronavirus while working on the frontline of the pandemic. Despite some urging early on from her family to retire for her own health and wellbeing, she refused, believing it was her duty to help especially in a time of crisis. A devout Catholic, her unshakeable faith gave her the courage to continue undeterred by the risks to her own safety, ultimately and selflessly giving her life in the service of others. Pilar is survived by her husband, Odirolf, and her two sons, Alexander and Nicholas. Although they deeply mourn her passing, they take great pride in her sacrifice. She was a true hero and will always be remembered as such. To honor her memory, her sons will continue her work by establishing a charitable organization with the mission of helping other families of essential workers that have been devastated as a result of this global tragedy.