Rufina Pasayloon Magpantay

Rufina Pasayloon Magpantay was born on May 7, 1951, in the province of Leyte, Philippines. She was the second child of Bregida and Eutiquio Pasayloon. Rufina, or Fina, as she was often called had a very close relationship with her mother. While going to school, she would help her mother with the household chores and manage the family business, a local market, which was very popular at that time. She went to high school at Visaya State University and went to college at Franciscan College of Immaculate Conception where she took Office Administration.

In 1969, she was petitioned by her Grandma Bobby to come to the United States so that she could help her own family back in the Philippines. When she arrived in the U.S., she was a wide-eyed, natural beauty, eager to explore and experience what this new country had to offer. She traveled to new places and made many friends along the way. While taking care of her Grandmother, she worked two jobs, at Allison/Kaufman Jewelry and sold Avon beauty products in Los Angeles, while supporting her family in the Philippines and sending her neices to nursing school.

Because she was so stunning, her grandma entered her into a Filipino Beauty pageant, where she won Miss Visayas in 1974. After the beauty pageant, needless to say, she acquired many suitors. But In 1975, she met the love her life, Cezar Magpantay, who easily won the approval of her grandma by bringing her treats and goodies, everytime he came to visit. After a few months of a whirlwind romance, they eloped to Las Vegas, got married at St. Columban Church in Los Angeles, and moved into an apartment in Maywood. and about nine months later, on May 5 1976, their one and only son, Carlo, was born. After 6 months, they moved to Baldwin Park making many lifelong friends in the Filipino community who still remain close to this day.

In 1990, the family moved to Chino Hills while starting her new job working as a Cashier Clerk at Cal Poly Pomona. Being a devout catholic who loved to serve, she helped start the Filipino block rosary and later served as a Eucharisitc Minister at St. Paul the Apostle Church. She also loved playing bingo on her spare time. In 2005, she retired from Cal Poly after 15 years of service. Sadly, In 2007, she suffered a devastating blow and was diagnosed with kidney failure, and had to have dialysis treatments but still remained steadfast in her servitude and faith in the Lord.

In December 11, 2008, she gained a daughter in law, and soon after, her first grandchild on October 20, 2009. Her life was filled with newfound joy with the new additions to the family, especially when she became a grandmother to her pride and joy, Carl Justin (CJ) Magpantay, whom she loved and cherished everyday.

She passed peacefully and went home with the Lord on August 15, 2016, the Feast of the Assumption, surrounded by her loving family and close friends.

Rufina is survived by her brother and sister, her husband Cezar, her son, Carlo, her daughters in law, Mary Louise and Mary Clemence Palero, and her beloved grandson, Carl Justin (CJ).

She also leaves behind numerous extended family and friends whose lives she touched immensely.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Covina, California.