Librada Villaraza Borlaza

Librada Villaraza Borlaza, lovingly known as Mama Lily, died peacefully on October 3, 2016 at her home in Mountlake Terrace, WA at the age of 79. Lily was born on April 6, 1937 in Majayjay, Laguna, Philippines, the 8th child of Dr. Cecilio Villaraza and Magdalena Origuel. Growing up in a big family, she learned about hard work and the importance of strong family ties. Her family loved to entertain, and she and her siblings would always be singing, laughing and dancing together with their countless relatives and friends. In 1961, she married Amador Jun Borlaza from Liliw, Laguna, Philippines. They were blessed with 4 children Adelle, Arnel, Arlene and Anna. After attending secret school, she started working at her brothers law firm, a film studio, and finally at OADECO, a rubber plantation and manufacturing firm. She worked her way up to become VP of Finance for that company. She was active in various church and civic associations, and was instrumental in the construction of a small chapel inside Ortigas Greenheights Subdivision, the community she lived in for close to 20 years, in Taytay, Rizal, Philippines. She was also active in the Gregorians, an organization that helped support St. Gregory the Great Parish, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines that was established in 1649 in her hometown of Majayjay, Laguna.In 1990, she moved to the United States, first to Chicago, IL to be with her sister, and finally settling in Seattle, WA to be with her daughter and son-in-law. True to her loving and nurturing nature, she worked as a caregiver for kids and adults alike. Although it was a big departure from her corporate life in the Philippines, it gave her great fulfillment and joy to be able to care for not only her kids and grandkids, but countless others who became her extended family. She also became active in PAAM, the Pacific Asian American Ministry at St. Pius X Parish. She served as a choir member, as well as the unofficial event organizer, putting her networking and telephone skills to good use. More than anything, she loved entertaining and cooking for family and friends. Well definitely miss her kare-kare, sinigang, chicken divan, caldereta, bibingka and leche flan. Lily is survived by her former spouse Jun; daughters Adelle (Jojo Fernando), Arlene (Richard Chen) and Anna (Giovanni Costales); son Arnel (Ruby Garcia); grandchildren Alyssa, Paolo, AJ, Aliana, Jillianne, Cody, Phoenix, Joaquin, Gianna, Nina and Pio; sisters Angelina, Carmelita and Erlinda; and her many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank everyone who has extended care and support to Mama Lily, and who have expressed their love and admiration for her during this difficult time.