Lucia “Lucy” Serrano, passed away at her home in the early hours of the morning on June 30, 2025, with her daughter, Mae, by her side. She had just celebrated her ninetieth birthday on June 25. Lucy will be reuniting with her husband, Rene Serrano, who passed away on Christmas Day in 2017.

The couple is survived by their five children, Rod, Neal, Darby, Mae and James and by their three grandchildren, Nia, Jamie, and Alexander.

Lucy was born in Zamboanga City in the Philippines known for its flowers, particularly its orchids which were among her favorite flowers. Born with a green thumb, she loved tending her garden and enjoyed coaxing blooms from the varied selection of plants that surrounded her. We remember so many friends from the neighborhood who would stop and visit while she worked in her garden in the morning. She would give cuttings and potted plants to those who asked, sharing her passion with them.

Lucy maintained a lifelong devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus. She prayed the Rosary and went to mass daily. She kept a list of people going through difficult times so she could pray for them and was constantly praying for peace in the world. She never stopped praising her Lord and giving thanks for the graces she experienced in her life. One of her dearest dreams was finding a home near a Church which was finally fulfilled in 1985 when she bought her current home, which was only a stone’s throw away from Madonna del Sasso Church. In subsequent years, in her home parish of Madonna del Sasso, she was an active member of the Legion of Mary as well as many other church groups. She participated in various ministries including those that tended to the needs of the sick or dying.

In her youth, her passion for taking care of those in need led her to a career in nursing that spanned 46 years. After graduating from nursing school in Zamboanga City, she worked in various clinics, helping fight the spread of Tuberculosis in the Philippines. She traveled from province to province, administering vaccines, medicines and providing care to people in rural areas. Later, she served as an Emergency Room Nurse at the Philippine National Railways Hospital for many years.

In 1972, she answered a call to work in the United States, where a shortage of nurses resulted in an invitation to Filipino nurses to come and work in America. She made a huge sacrifice, leaving her young family and husband behind to seek a better future for them. She worked at the Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas and later at the Medical Center in Odessa, Texas. In both places, she befriended and supported communities of young nurses for which she played the role of older sister (“Ate”). She returned home to the Philippines briefly and eventually succeeded in bringing her family to Salinas, California in 1979. In Salinas, she continued her career in nursing working in various local health facilities until she landed a job at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital where she later accepted the position of charge Nurse in the hospital’s Medical/Surgical Floor.

It was at SVMH where she displayed dedication to her craft. She ministered to the sick in her professional capacity. In her time at the hospital, she found joy in being able to tend to all her patients and in caring for friends and parishioners that found themselves in need of hospital care. She was happy and proud of her team at the 3-11 shift and was grateful for their work together. She also found a supportive team of people that shared her passion and many of them have become lifelong friends. She took a special interest in young nurses just starting their career, providing them with mentorship and guidance.

She retired from Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital in 2003 but continued her ministry to the sick by becoming a volunteer on behalf of Madonna del Sasso Parish. As a volunteer, she ministered to those in hospitals and those who were homebound, visiting and praying with them and providing Holy Communion. She eventually became a team lead in the volunteer group that ministered at the Natividad Medical Center.

Throughout her life, Lucy worked with and surrounded herself with aspiring women and shared a common passion for improving their lives and those of others. She lent her conviction and strength to women needing mentorship and they in turn inspired her. To the young women just beginning their nursing careers, she was an “Ate” -- an older sister -- guiding them. To her peers she was a loyal friend and advocate, always ready to help when needed. To her teams, she was an example of dedication and empathy while caring for the sick both physically and spiritually. To her family, she was a mother and wife who fought hard to open opportunities for a better life.

Tending to those in need is the common thread that weaves together the varied experiences of our mother’s life. We thank her for all her sacrifices and recognize what she has accomplished with dedication to her Church, her devotion to Mary, and her desire to be close to God.

Lucy’s funeral Service is scheduled on Wednesday, July 16 at 10 am at Madonna Del Sasso Church (320 E Laurel Drive, Salinas). The Mass will be followed with internment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery (18200 Damian Way, Salinas). A reception will follow at the Madonna Del Sasso Church Parish Hall.

Visitation will be from 1-3 pm on July 15, 2025, at Healey Mortuary (405 N Sanborn Road, Salinas). Visitation will continue with a Rosary in her honor that is scheduled at 4:00 pm in Madonna Del Sasso Church (320 E Laurel Drive).