Carmen Pascua

In Memory of Carmen R Pascua September 10, 1929 - February 14, 2024 Carmen Reclusado Pascua , 94, a past resident of the Wapato Filipino Community and one of the original and last pioneers of the community, passed away and joined her loved ones that preceded her, at the “Cottage at the Meadow” Hospice Care in Yakima, Washington on February 14 2024. She was born September 10,1929 in Santa Maria Ilocasur, Luzon, Philippines. Her parents were Esteban and Eustackia Reclusado and she was one of 11 brothers and sisters. In 1948 she married Venancio C Pascua in the Philippines. Venancio had served in the U S Army during World War II and received his US citizenship while in the Army. Venancio and Carmen had two children Iluminada and William while still living in the Philippines.Venancio returned to the United States to secure work and to prepare a home for his new family. Harry Bucsit and his family helped the young Pascua family by sponsoring them to the United States and Carmen and the children followed Venancio there in November of 1958. Venancio and Carmen were blessed with their youngest daughter, Rosemary in April 1961. Carmen worked hard and also got her US citizenship. She enjoyed working for 20 years at Bailey’s sewing factory in Yakima, Washington. Both she and Venancio worked very hard and dedicated their lives so that their children could get the best educational opportunities for a better life.. Carmen then dedicated her life to Venancio who suffered a stroke. After a long illness Venancio passed away in 1987. After his death Carmen continued to maintain their home and large garden. Carmen later remarried in 1998 to Benjamin Velasco. He passed away later in 2006. She spent several years at the Wapato home with her youngest daughter Rosemary, then moved into her son William’s home and then lived about 6 years with Iluminada and Robert in Aberdeen, Washington before returning to the Yakima Valley where she stayed at Riverview Manor in Selah, Washington. She is survived by her youngest daughter Rosemary Pascua, her son William Pascua, and her oldest daughter Iluminada Reed. William’s family includes his wife Kelly, their daughter Jami Campbell and her daughter Alyssa, their daughter Jennifer Leslie and her children Anthony, Leah and Michael. Iluminada’s family includes her husband Robert Reed, their daughter Vanessa and her husband Ravenal Calonzo and their three children Raymont, Royce, and Russell. Their second daughter Lauren is married to Adam Paniagua and they have a son Leo. As you can see Carmen had plenty of grandchildren and great grandchildren to keep her occupied. Carmen was an amazing seamstress, an incredible cook of Filipino foods and an avid gardner. She had a very large garden and raised a large variety of Asian vegetables and fruit. Carmen was fondly known for making the best Cascaron, a Filipino dessert. She looked forward to the weekends where they would play Mahjong with the neighbors and friends for hours. Her greatest joy in life was to spend time with her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. The funeral will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024. The viewing followed by the rosary will begin at 9:00 AM at Saint Peter Claver Catholic Church, 509 S Satus Ave, Wapato, WA 98951. The mass will follow the viewing and the rosary. The interment will follow at Reservation Memorial Park at 5161 W Wapato Road. After the interment a reception will follow at the Filipino Community Hall 211 W second St, in Wapato. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carmen Pascua, please visit our flower store.