In Memory of Maria Lourdes Aguilar Buncayo
On the morning of September 3rd, 2021, my mom Maria Lourdes Aguilar Buncayo, 72, lost her battle to a rare, aggressive form of breast cancer leaving behind Adrian, Sophia and I.
She was a devoted mother & grandmother, caring sister and loyal friend to many. She was also a retired ICU nurse in Florida, her second home, where she met many of her closest friends, after moving here shortly after she graduated from the University of Philippines College of Nursing (Class of 1972).
If you knew my mom, nickname “Lou”, she was a beautiful soul inside and out, a smart, strong and kind woman. She loved making people happy and bringing people together. Although an introvert by nature, she reveled in hosting gatherings for all her friends (holiday parties, mahjong get togethers, First Saturday novena prayer groups, etc). Even if she had very little to give, whatever she had she was willing to give to help someone in need. Even in her darkest hours, she strived to make other’s smile.
She was a single mother to myself and my older brother, Adrian, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, non-verbal and does not walk. I know firsthand how hard it is to be a single mom but there’s an even greater financial, mental and emotional load when it comes to parenting a child with special needs yet she did so with such grace.
Most people are surprised to hear about my mom’s recent passing, because my mom suffered in silence for months. She was always thinking about others first that I think she didn’t want to burden or worry anyone including me until it was far too late.
Inflammatory breast cancer makes up 1-5% of breast cancers and is very invasive. By the time it is noticed, it’s already Stage III and typically has started to spread to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body and quickly moves to Stage IV. Before we could even finish all the diagnostic testings or even do a biopsy, my mom was terminal. We have spent all of our resources to care for her the last few months and just trying to find out what was wrong with her. It all happened so fast and unexpectedly, we did not have a chance to prepare for her death and the high costs of final arrangements.
I want to give my mom, Lou, a service and burial she would have wanted, one in line with her strong Catholic faith and an opportunity for friends and family to say their last goodbyes.
Please consider donating, as any amount will truly help my family during this difficult time.
Thank you!
-Anamarie Buncayo