Dr. Rosemary Valencia, 78, died peacefully at her daughter's home on January 16, 2021 of Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 30, at 5:30 PM at St. Patrick's Church, 725 4th St., La Salle, IL, with Rev. Thomas Otto, Deacon John Murphy and Deacon Dennis Gillan officiating. The Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle is assisting the family.
Dr. Valencia was born on August 6, 1942 to Victoriano and Maria Lina Valencia of Zamboanga Del Sur, Philippines. She was the oldest of 8 children: Arturo (deceased), Junet of Paranaque, Philippines, and her brother Edgar Valencia of Oglesby, IL. Her sisters: Vilma Minor (deceased) of Pagadian, Philippines & Bebot Hamili of Zamboanga, Philippines, Eleanor Torres and Grace Valencia who reside in New Jersey.
Rosemary was raised with an authoritarian-like father who said, "School comes first," so there wasn’t much time for childhood fun, especially during her teens and college years.
Rosemary earned her medical degree from University of Santo Thomas in Manila. She came to the United States for an internship at King's County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York and afterwards moved to Peru, IL. She followed her good friends Dr. Bella Baz, formerly of Wenona and Dr. Sanie Ner Bartolome (deceased), formerly of Spring Valley.
In 1975, Dr. Valencia opened her pediatric practice at St. Margaret's Hospital in Spring Valley, IL. and treated children for 40 years until she retired in 2015. She often said, "I am blessed because I love my work." Her daughter believes her mother found her work therapeutic. Her patients found comfort in seeking her advice, but in return, the positivity and empathy she received from her patients and supportive staff was life-changing.
Dr. Valencia's favorite bible verse was Philippians 4:13 "I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me." She participated in TEC (Teens Encountering Christ) and was an active member of the Illinois Valley Cursillo & the Prison Cursillo. She enjoyed daily mass at Holy Rosary in LaSalle, but often attended masses throughout the IL Valley and St. Bede Academy.
Dr. Valencia is survived by her daughter Abigail, a Thoracic Surgery ICU nurse at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Ma., her son-in-law Gregory Kevin Gooding, granddaughter Mya Gooding, and grandson Gregory Isaac Gooding.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to either IL Valley Cursillo, St. Bede Academy, St. Margaret's Hospital, or TEC.
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