Cresencia Madarang Ruiz Villanueva
Cresencia Madarang Ruiz Villanueva, 98, passed peacefully in her home on Sunday, November 14, 2021, at 6:43 p.m., surrounded by many loved ones.
She was born June 15, 1923, in Santiago, Isabela Philippines, to Anastacio Ruiz and Dolores Madarang and was the youngest of four children.
Cresencia married Sotero Villanueva on April 27, 1944. The two of them moved to Sitka in 1979.
Throughout her lifetime she had several jobs, including at a McDonald’s and a laundromat, and providing cleaning services and housekeeping for Sitka Medical Center and Service Transfer facilities and apartments. But she was best known for being a homemaker and babysitting her many, many grandchildren.
Widely known as Ina, she was everyone’s “grandma.” She was a devoted follower of the Lord and could often be found praying faithfully with her Bible.
Although petite in size, her nurturing energy was felt by all. She will be remembered for her healing touch; her bright smile and warm hugs; playing bingo and cards; her delicious cooking; and, above all, her undeniable presence of light and love that matched her love for her family.
Cresencia was preceded in death by her parents, her three siblings, three children, and two grandchildren.
She is survived by her seven children: Pete (Virginia) of Sitka, Teofilo (Teresita) of Seattle, Samuel (Charito) of Juneau, Melencio (Myrna) of Sitka, Dolores (Levie) of Juneau, Fernando of Sitka, and Victor (Eliza) of Sitka, as well as her 21 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.
Friends and family of Cresencia are invited to attend the service and reception at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church Friday, November 19. Visitation begins at 11 a.m. and the funeral at 12:05 p.m. A burial ceremony will follow at Sitka National Cemetery and then a reception at church’s downstairs hall.
