Susana Cruz Rasco

On September 04, 2023 at the Adventist Health Glendale, Susana Cruz Rasco, 91, of San Juan, Hagonoy, Bulacan, Philippines went to sleep to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. By her side in prayer were son, Raul Cruz Rasco, his wife, Annabelle Barrios Rasco, and their son, Michael Benjamin Barrios Rasco.

Susana graduated from Centro Escolar University in Mendiola, Manila with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Home Economics with minor in Piano. She went to high school at Hagonoy Institute (Class of 51). At a summer fiesta in 1956, Susana met Juan Bernardo Dames Rasco, then a cadet at the Philippine Military Academy (Class of 1957). They married later that year and began their family life in Bernardo's hometown Paracale, Camarines Norte with sons Gines Cruz Rasco and Raul. Susana started her teaching career at the elementary school in Paracale. The family eventually moved to Manila where Noelita Cruz Rasco was born in 1962. Bernie continued his education while working and earned his Bachelor of Science degrees in Mechanical, Electrical, and Industrial Engineering at the Feati University in Manila. The family moved to Malolos, Bulacan where they built the family dream home in 1967.

In 1970 Susana along with her three young children relocated to Davao City in Mindanao. Susana continued teaching Home Economics at several elementary schools in Davao. Although their stay in Davao City was a brief two years, Susana and her children rour Lord God gave them tremendous hope, faith, and love through His people.

Gines, the eldest of three children was born on July 17, 1957. His early jobs, which he held down while in school, included working at sheet metal fabrication plant in Valenzuela, Bulacan while he studied at Far Eastern University and took courses in Bachelor of Science in Architecture. He became a machinist by trade. Gines met Emelita Salmo and married in 1980. They have four children: Jeremy, Jerwin, Joanne, and Jason. Emelita passed away in 2016.

The second child, Raul studied at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1982.  He immigrated to Los Angeles, California in 1988 where he briefly worked with his father Bernardo who moved to Los Angeles in 1984. Raul married Annabelle Santiago Barrios in 1995.

Susana immigrated to the United States of America two days before the birth of Michael Benjamin. She helped raise Michael until her last breath.

The youngest, Noelita Cruz Rasco was born on Christmas Day 1962. Noelita was "Baby" to her family and "Eri" to her friends. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of the Philippines in Manila in 1984. With her passion being in the arts and entertainment, she became a professional dancer and performer and toured countries in Asia.  In 2001 she immigrated to the United States. She met Juan Alberto Arraya Vargas in Los Angeles and they were married on September 11, 2009 and lived in Burbank, CA.  In late 2013 she was diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer. In January 2014, Eri underwent surgery and did chemotherapy. She responded well and her health recovered. In July 2016, when her condition turned and the battle with cancer became more difficult, Eri chose to be at the home of the Rascos with her mother Susana along with Raul, Annabelle, and Michael and her husband Jon who all provided Eri with loving care, comfort, and support. Finally on November 19, 2016 with husband by her side, she went to be with the Lord before the age of 54.

Susana spent her retirement life in Los Angeles devoting her time and energy to help raise Michael. In 2004 to 2008, Susana worked as a volunteer "Grandma" attending to and assisted teaching special-need school children. She was an avid ballroom dance enthusiast and participated in the activities held at the Glendale Adult Recreation Center. Susana traveled independently by herself all around the greater Los Angeles area using the LA Metro public transportation. She walked briskly but safely wherever she went. She worshipped at the Rose Chapel, First United Methodists, and Shepherd Church. Her favorite hangouts were Glendale Galleria, Eagle Rock Plaza, and Chinatown. With family, she travelled to the Philippines, around California, Nevada, Mexico, Alaska, the British Isles, and Western Europe.

For all of her life, Susana was a woman of healthy living; in addition to keeping physically active, she ate unprocessed food only that consist of fish, seafood, vegetables, fruits, moderate quantity of rice, eggs and milk. Susana was an avid pianist; she's been playing for official school programs since her college years and all throughout her career as a school teacher. She also gave individual piano lessons. In Los Angeles, she played at the senior center and at every gathering or occasion where she can find a piano she can get her hands on including the mall and on board cruise ships.

By the mid 1990s, Susana became born-again Christian, loving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with all her heart, mind, soul, and strength. Quietly, she had been praying for the Lord to draw her family closer to Jesus Christ. The Lord hears the prayer of the righteous and eventually Susana’s entire household is saved through Jesus Christ!

Susana was predeceased by father Conrado Talvos Cruz, who died in 1966 at the age of 76, and mother Cecilia Reyes Cruz, who died in 1992 at the age of 92.  Susana's former husband Bernardo died on October 4, 2001 in Los Angeles, CA before the age of 69. Susana's deceased siblings were Geronimo Cruz, Sofronio Cruz, Thomas Cruz, Maria Paz Cruz, and Felicidad Cruz Reyes.

Susana is survived by children Gines and Raul, daughter-in-law Annabelle and grandson Michael Benjamin; as well as cousin-in-law Rosalinda Calaste, her daughter Maria Rosario "Sari" Garcia, and cousin in-law Florence Calaste. Susana’s grandchildren in the Philippines are Jeremy Rasco, Jerwin Rasco, Joanne Rasco, and Jason Rasco; great-grandchildren from Jeremy and Lory Joy: Steven Rasco, Stephen Rasco; from Jerwin and Jomalyn: Samantha Rasco, Cassandra Rasco; from Joanne and Robert: Karlo Rasco Parado; and from Jason and Sarah: Jaeser Rasco.

Susana was the middle child of seven children. She is survived by her younger brother Miguel Reyes Cruz, and seventeen nieces and nephews.   

Arrangements are under the care of Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills, CA.