Felicisima DeLeon-Mendoza, CDR MC USN Ret.

Felicisima DeLeon-Mendoza, MD, CDR MC USN (Ret.), peacefully joined our creator on November 14, 2023, at the age of 86.  She was surrounded by her loved ones at her home in Cypress, California at the time of her passing.  Arrangements are under the care of Forest Lawn, Cypress, CA.

Dr. DeLeon-Mendoza  is survived by her children, Alan (Susan) de Leon and grandson Alexander; Irene (Adrian) Rosescu and grandsons Justin and Nick; and by her siblings Isidro de Leon, Felipe de Leon III, Benilda de Leon, and Numeriano de Leon.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Agustin Mendoza and siblings Francisco de Leon, Serafin de Leon, Adelaida Libranda, Sofronio de Leon, and Aurora Nepomuceno.

Affectionately known as "Nene" or "Tita Nene" by her numerous nieces and nephews, and as "Doctora Fe" by her countless friends, she was beloved by many.  She was a devout Catholic and a pillar of the community, known for her charitable work and joyful spirit.

The seventh of ten children, Dr. DeLeon-Mendoza was born on May 26, 1937 in Gumaca, Quezon, Philippines.  She immigrated to the United States in 1972 and trained to be a pediatrician at Mount Vernon Hospital and Kings County Hospital in New York City.  She became a naturalized U.S. citizen in March 1976, and joined the U.S. Navy Medical Corps as a Lieutenant in July 1976.

In her 22 years of honorable service to our nation, she was sent all over the world.  She was stationed in Subic Bay, Philippines, from November 1978 to July 1981, where she adopted Alan and Irene, and later met and married her husband, Agustin Mendoza.  She served at the Naval Regional Medical Center in Great Lakes, IL, from July 1976 to October 1978; at the Long Beach Naval Regional Medical Center in Long Beach, CA, from July 1981 to June 1986 and from September 1987 to August 1990; at the Branch Hospital in Adak, Alaska without her family from July 1986 to Sept 1987; followed by the Naval Hospital at 29 Palms, CA, and eventually at Camp Pendleton, CA, where she retired in December 1998 with the rank of Commander, Medical Corps, U.S. Navy.

After retirement, she went on numerous medical missions to deliver medical care and supplies to the needy in foreign countries, especially the provinces in the Philippines.  Her last foreign medical mission was in 2019, at the age of 82.

Dr. DeLeon-Mendoza never forgot where she came from, serving as Madam President of the Gumaca Association of Southern California (GASCA) from 2001 - 2003.  GASCA is a charitable organization supporting the community development of Gumaca, Quezon, where she was born.

She was an active member of St. Irenaeus Catholic Church and the Filipino Catholic Federation (FCF), through which she participated in many church functions including the choir, Christmas caroling, and various fundraising events.  She would often volunteer her time and make donations for the less fortunate.  She was the St. Irenaeus Parish 2007 "Woman of the Year" for her charitable work.

Throughout her retirement, she enjoyed going on cruises and sightseeing tours with her husband, visiting friends and family.  She was an avid fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and Anaheim Angels, watching as many games as she could.  She also loved to watch boxing when Manny Pacquiao (PacMan) had a fight.  She loved walking and participated in many local walkathons.  She also loved to cook, especially pancit, empanada, and puto bumbong during the holidays.  She would often make enough to give away to her family and friends.

She will be dearly missed.

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Viewing will be held at Forest Lawn located at 4471 Lincoln Ave, Cypress, CA 90630.  Viewing times as are follows:
* Thursday, December 21, from 12:00pm - 8:00pm with rosary prayer at 2pm and 6pm.
* Friday, December 22, from 9:00am - 4:00pm with rosary prayer at 11am and 3pm.

Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00am, oSaturday, December 23, at St. Irenaeus Catholic Church, Cypress, CA 90630 followed by interment at Forest Lawn - Cypress.