Almira Suico
Almira Suico
Almira Cabahug Perez was born on December 24, 1935, in Mandaue, Cebu, Philippines, a Christmas present for Carlos Perez and Candelaria Cabahug. An entry in her father's small notebook describes the occasion.
Third - Daughter Almira Perez means Lofty
Born Dec. 24, Tues. 1935 at 10:30 A.M.
Baptized, Jan. 4, 1936 - Catalina Cabahug & Charing Colina
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| Almira |
Known by the respect name, Inday, Almira grew up in Mandaue, where she completed her elementary education in Mandaue Elementary School. However, during the Japanese Occupation in World War II, Almira attended grade school at the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion in Cebu City. Her high school education was also at Inmaculada Concepcion, a girls school run by the Daughters of Charity. Following high school, Almira studied nursing at Southern Islands School of Nursing, completing the requirements to become a Registered Nurse. Finally, Almira concluded her education by earning a BS in Nursing at Southwestern University, Cebu City, in 1962, before beginning a life-long career in the nursing field.
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| Ruben and Almira's wedding |
In 1963, Almira married Ruben Suico, a fellow Mandauehanon. They initially settled in Mandaue, where Almira worked as a Mandaue Rural Health Nurse, attending to the health needs and assisting in births for local families. In 1968, Almira emigrated to the United States, along with Nellie Seno Roque, a fellow colleague and friend. She briefly stayed in Los Angeles, California, but soon transferred to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, along with Adelina Perez, where she worked as a nurse. Almira's stay in Perth Amboy, New Jersey was also short, and in the fall of 1968, she transferred to Columbus Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, where she worked as a nurse until 1991. After leaving Columbus Hospital, Almira worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield for eleven years until her husband retired. They soon moved to Florida to be near their daughter and her family.
In 2011, Almira was diagnosed with liver cancer. She fought bravely through over a year of chemotherapy, before entering hospice in the fall of 2012. Almira breathed her last on December 3, 2012. Her eulogy, written by her nephew, Arvin Temkar, provides a glimpse of Almira's love for life. It includes the following comments
"She loved cooking, and she loved gardening. She was generous with her harvest. Friends and relatives could always count on a care package from her abundant garden. She loved watching things grow ‐ orchids, papayas, bananas and, yes, guavas.
Her life was full, and she saw the world. Though she traveled many places ‐ Amsterdam, Paris, London, New York, Tokyo ‐ she never forgot where she came from."
The complete text can be accessed at eulogy.
Almira will live in our memories.
Almira's Family