Flora la cruz

Flora de la Cruz passed away peacefully at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009, after a courageous battle with the effects of a stroke. She was 74. Flora is survived by her husband, Dr. Adelaido de la Cruz; daughters Adela Francisco and Avelina Torabramians of Vancouver, Wash.; Adora Spence of Sparks, Nev.; Aida de la Cruz and Aurora de la Cruz of Seattle, Wash.; and sons Adelaido de la Cruz Jr. of Vancouver, Wash., and Adelmo de la Cruz of Lake Stevens, Wash. She is also survived by a sister and brother in her native country of the Philippines. She was preceded in death in 1999 by her daughter, Anna Liza de la Cruz. Flora grew up in the town of Santa Maria in Pangasinan, Philippines. Growing up, she enjoyed sports such as volleyball and softball, and became a talented seamstress. She grew up with two sisters and three brothers. She married her high school sweetheart, Adelaido, in April 1952. Flora and her family moved to Manila, Philippines, from Santa Maria in 1956, where Flora studied and graduated with an economics degree from the University of the East. She created custom-made dresses and grew vegetables, all of which she sold to support her growing family. Flora and her family moved once again in 1972, this time from Manila to Corvallis. She worked various dressmaking and seamstress jobs during her first several years in Oregon. Later on she worked full time as a nursing assistant for Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis for 20 years. Flora retired from GSH in 1997. During her retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her children and her growing number of grandchildren. However, Flora was far from being done with working. In 1988, Flora and Adelaido purchased farmland on Kiger Island, where she resumed her lifelong passion for gardening. Over the years, her family built a barn and eventually put a house on the property. She enjoyed working with local nurseries to get her seedlings ready for the spring planting, and enjoyed the planting and harvesting of her vegetables. She especially loved selling at the farmers markets in Albany and Corvallis, where she thrived at meeting people and spending time with the other vendors, many of whom were very dear and kind to her. Farming provided her a feeling of accomplishment, a community of friends and a source of exercise, and let her artistic talent flourish. Flora was a member of the Circle Church of Christ in Corvallis, where she started worshipping in the early 1970s. Special thanks go out to the Circle congregation for the love and support they've shown her and her family throughout the years, especially during Flora's illness. Also, Flora was an active member of the Filipino-American Association, and enjoyed the activities that bridged the two cultures. Flora suffered two strokes over the last three years, and all the while she continued to show her strong, kind spirit to those around her. Her family will always be grateful for the everlasting love and devotion she provided us. She was the best person we've ever known. Flora's memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, at the Circle Church of Christ, 2020 N.W. Circle Blvd. Burial will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Crystal Lake Cemetery. A viewing is set for 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, at McHenry Funeral Home, 206 N.W. Fifth St. in Corvallis.

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Flora la cruz

May 1, 1935 - December 23, 2009