Rufina Valdez Recio

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Rufina Valdez Recio, who passed away on August 7, 2026, in Los Angeles, California, just days after celebrating her 96th birthday. Known lovingly as “Mama” or “Mama Pining” to her children and “Lola Pining” to her grandchildren, Rufina will be remembered for her remarkable strength, enduring faith, generosity, and devotion to her family.

Rufina was born on July 30, 1930, in Santa Mesa, Manila, Philippines, to Dalmacio Valdez and Rufina Viray Valdez. The second youngest of five daughters, she grew up alongside her sisters Sara Palaypay, Estela Valdez, Luz "Lucy" De Los Santos, and Beatriz “Betty” Zari.

Education was a defining part of Rufina’s life. An honor student at P. Burgos Elementary School and Victorino Mapa High School, she continued her studies at the University of the Philippines, where she earned both a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master’s degree in Education. She devoted more than 40 years to teaching, including at Elpidio Quirino High School and Ramon Avanceña High School, where she taught Health Education before being promoted to Department Head, a position she held until her retirement in 1995. She also served as a part-time professor at Lyceum of the Philippines University.

On December 17, 1955, Rufina married Godofredo F. Recio. Together they raised five children: Belinda Cristina, Jocelyn Ann (“Jojie”), Wilfredo (“Willy”), Myrra Grace, and Eileen Joy. In their younger years, Rufina and Godofredo shared a love of music—she played the piano and sang soprano, while he played the violin.

Their life together was cut tragically short when Godofredo passed away on August 1, 1974, at only 46 years old. Rufina, herself just 44, was left to raise their five children on her own. She faced this enormous responsibility with courage, discipline, faith, and determination, working tirelessly to provide for her family while instilling in her children the values that guided her own life: honesty, respect, hard work, education, good moral character, and faith in God.

These same principles defined Rufina as an educator, mother, and grandmother. She was loving but strict and held high standards for her students and family alike. She believed deeply in education and in making the most of one's opportunities. Her influence is reflected in an accomplishment of which her family is especially proud: all five of her children and all ten of her grandchildren became college graduates.

Rufina’s Christian faith remained at the center of her life. A devoted member of IEMELIF Sta. Mesa Church, she sang in the Junior and Senior Choirs and served as Sunday School Superintendent and church treasurer. Her faith was equally important in her private life. She faithfully ended each day by reading her Bible and spending time in prayer and personal devotion, a practice that reflected the depth and constancy of her beliefs.

Following her retirement, Rufina moved to Los Angeles in 1996 at the age of 66. Though the move meant leaving behind three of her children and many loved ones in the Philippines, she maintained close bonds with her family across the miles. She joined the Los Angeles Filipino-American United Church of Christ, where she cherished being part of a faith community among family and fellow members who became lifelong friends.

Rufina was calm, traditional, and quietly strong. Beneath her firm and disciplined nature was a deeply generous woman who rarely spent her pension on herself, preferring instead to spend it on her children and grandchildren. She delighted in spoiling her grandchildren, and giving was one of the many ways she expressed her love.

She enjoyed cross-stitching, sewing, gardening, plants, and reading books and magazines. She loved fruit and seafood, especially sinigang na isda, fried fish, and lobster. Roses were her favorite flowers, and purple was her favorite color. In her later years, she also enjoyed traveling with family and friends, including an Alaskan cruise, trips to Canada to visit family, and a trip to Australia.

In March 2021, at age 90, Rufina suffered a stroke that left her partially paralyzed. Yet the strength that had carried her throughout her life never left her. Despite her physical limitations, her personality continued to shine through, and she remained expressive in her love, gratitude, and faith. Her family treasured the more than five additional years they were blessed to share with her, during which she continued to demonstrate the fighting spirit and resilience that had defined her life.

Rufina is survived by her five children and their spouses: Belinda Cristina and Oscar; Jocelyn Ann and Alexander; Wilfredo and Rebecca; Myrra Grace and Henry; and Eileen Joy and Fernan. She is also survived by her ten grandchildren and their spouses: Jan, Kristine and Mark, Alvin, Andrew, James and Maxine, Alfonso, Michelle and Dustin, Joshua, Alyssa, and Albert; and her three great-grandchildren, Caleb, Noah, and Amelia.

She is reunited in eternal rest with her beloved husband, Godofredo; her parents, Dalmacio and Rufina; and her sisters Sara, Estela, Lucy, and Betty.

Rufina’s 96 years were a testament to faith, perseverance, and devotion to family. Again and again, she met life’s hardships with courage and determination, while working to ensure that the generations who followed her would have every opportunity to thrive.

Her strength lives on in the family she raised, the students she taught, the faith she shared, and the values she instilled. To her children she will always be Mama; to her grandchildren, Lola Pining. Her life reminds all who loved her that even when life asks much of us, we can find the strength to carry on. A visitation will be held at Forest Lawn - Glendale on Friday, August 14, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, followed by a funeral service on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 5 PM.