Obituary for Henrietta F. Viranda (Ferolin)
Henrietta Ferolin Viranda, age 78, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 in Houston, Texas due to cardiac arrest and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. She was born on February 22, 1942 in Pikit North Cotabato, Philippines to Conrado E. Ferolin, Sr. (father) and Maxima Flores Ferolin (mother) who preceded her in death.
Henrietta graduated from Ladtigan Elementary School, Union Institute High School, and Silliman University College of Nursing. After graduation, she returned to her hometown of Pikit and worked as a school nurse. Henrietta finally moved to Manila because of local religious conflicts and raids on her birthplace town, making it unsafe to stay. She accepted a position as a clinical instructor in the Nursing School at Perpetual Help College of Manila.
Henrietta’s first job in the United States was at the newly built McAllen Medical Center in McAllen, TX as an obstetric nurse. Henrietta did not find this employment as rewarding as other nursing opportunities, so she struck out on a drive with her good friend, Susan Caballero, to see what else they could find. They happened to land upon the Retama Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center in Rio Grande City, Texas. Henrietta was hired on the spot at this facility and soon found that her true passion was providing nursing services and care to the elderly. She worked at Retama for the rest of her career. Henrietta’s passion for caring and her faith in God provided her many rewards during her career. She was a natural leader and excelled at interpersonal relationships and getting the job done to everyone’s satisfaction. The affectionate nickname of “Mommy” was given to Henrietta by her colleagues to demonstrate their undying respect for her commitment to her work. She constantly encouraged those around her. Henrietta loved fishing and reading spiritual faith-based books. She was hardworking and generous with both her time and tithing to the church. Her spiritual connection to God was one of the most important aspects of her life.
Henrietta was a woman of faith. She prayed for her family and prayed for the healing of her patients and friends. Her answered prayers positively impacted many people during her lifetime. Henrietta believed strongly in the healing power of prayer and expected that God would see her through the treatment and he would provide her with miracles along the journey and challenges of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). She surrounded herself with powerful prayer warriors from the healing room at her home church (Encourager Church). Pastor Dodie Osteen, a cancer survivor, was one of her inspirations for her fight with cancer. All of the women who have been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer are required to be brave as there is no other choice. Some people wear that bravery better than others and Henrietta was one of those people. She managed to maintain poise and composure throughout the treatments despite the challenges. She defeated her MBC in many ways, even enduring hardships from numerous hospital admissions due to complications and the pleural draining – always without a single complaint believing things would get better. Henrietta provided peace and guidance to her family as the dignified matriarch that she had always been. Her faith and memory continue to provide that love and guidance, even after her death.
Henrietta was focused on living her life in an upbeat manner and she handled herself with the utmost composure - an admirable trait. She never took the easy route and always took charge of her life.
Henrietta is survived by her husband of 43 years, Juan A. Viranda; daughters, Ruth Jane Viranda and Sarah Viranda; brothers, Leonardo Flores Ferolin and Conrado Flores Ferolin, Jr.; and sisters, Milagrina Ferolin Nerizon and Herminia Ferolin Madarang. She was preceded in death by her sister, Felicidad Ferolin Nerizon; and her brother, Leon Flores Ferolin. She was also preceded in death by her beloved pet rabbit and companion for eleven years, Ariel Viranda, the most amazing rabbit ever.
Below are Henrietta's favorite songs.
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNZS5H9aNlY
In Jesus’ Name
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVsRM55_jsE
Raise A Hallelujah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3RRU25dpPg
Celebration of Life Service and Pictures
https://www.facebook.com/100000222080349/videos/pcb.5689719157712097/5026597327429081
https://www.facebook.com/100000222080349/videos/pcb.5689719157712097/501810424768827
Henrietta graduated from Ladtigan Elementary School, Union Institute High School, and Silliman University College of Nursing. After graduation, she returned to her hometown of Pikit and worked as a school nurse. Henrietta finally moved to Manila because of local religious conflicts and raids on her birthplace town, making it unsafe to stay. She accepted a position as a clinical instructor in the Nursing School at Perpetual Help College of Manila.
Henrietta’s first job in the United States was at the newly built McAllen Medical Center in McAllen, TX as an obstetric nurse. Henrietta did not find this employment as rewarding as other nursing opportunities, so she struck out on a drive with her good friend, Susan Caballero, to see what else they could find. They happened to land upon the Retama Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center in Rio Grande City, Texas. Henrietta was hired on the spot at this facility and soon found that her true passion was providing nursing services and care to the elderly. She worked at Retama for the rest of her career. Henrietta’s passion for caring and her faith in God provided her many rewards during her career. She was a natural leader and excelled at interpersonal relationships and getting the job done to everyone’s satisfaction. The affectionate nickname of “Mommy” was given to Henrietta by her colleagues to demonstrate their undying respect for her commitment to her work. She constantly encouraged those around her. Henrietta loved fishing and reading spiritual faith-based books. She was hardworking and generous with both her time and tithing to the church. Her spiritual connection to God was one of the most important aspects of her life.
Henrietta was a woman of faith. She prayed for her family and prayed for the healing of her patients and friends. Her answered prayers positively impacted many people during her lifetime. Henrietta believed strongly in the healing power of prayer and expected that God would see her through the treatment and he would provide her with miracles along the journey and challenges of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). She surrounded herself with powerful prayer warriors from the healing room at her home church (Encourager Church). Pastor Dodie Osteen, a cancer survivor, was one of her inspirations for her fight with cancer. All of the women who have been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer are required to be brave as there is no other choice. Some people wear that bravery better than others and Henrietta was one of those people. She managed to maintain poise and composure throughout the treatments despite the challenges. She defeated her MBC in many ways, even enduring hardships from numerous hospital admissions due to complications and the pleural draining – always without a single complaint believing things would get better. Henrietta provided peace and guidance to her family as the dignified matriarch that she had always been. Her faith and memory continue to provide that love and guidance, even after her death.
Henrietta was focused on living her life in an upbeat manner and she handled herself with the utmost composure - an admirable trait. She never took the easy route and always took charge of her life.
Henrietta is survived by her husband of 43 years, Juan A. Viranda; daughters, Ruth Jane Viranda and Sarah Viranda; brothers, Leonardo Flores Ferolin and Conrado Flores Ferolin, Jr.; and sisters, Milagrina Ferolin Nerizon and Herminia Ferolin Madarang. She was preceded in death by her sister, Felicidad Ferolin Nerizon; and her brother, Leon Flores Ferolin. She was also preceded in death by her beloved pet rabbit and companion for eleven years, Ariel Viranda, the most amazing rabbit ever.
Below are Henrietta's favorite songs.
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNZS5H9aNlY
In Jesus’ Name
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVsRM55_jsE
Raise A Hallelujah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3RRU25dpPg
Celebration of Life Service and Pictures
https://www.facebook.com/100000222080349/videos/pcb.5689719157712097/5026597327429081
https://www.facebook.com/100000222080349/videos/pcb.5689719157712097/501810424768827