Rustica Llobrera Parguian, dearly loved and fondly known to everyone as "Mama Rose," went to her eternal home in God's paradise with the Lord Jesus on April 8th, 2024 after 90 years, 3 months, and 8 days of accomplished life.

She was born on New Year's Eve, December 31st, in the year 1933 in Manila, Philippines. She was the fourth born of five children, and at a young age, had already shown her strength and resilience—living through WWII bombings that nearly hit her and her sister Elisa, to bearing and delivering seven children almost in succession, and to raising them as a single parent after being widowed at the age of 52. As a testament to her fighting spirit, she triumphed over almost every sickness that tried to derail her health. She truly was a Wonder Woman. Mama was the pillar of our home, and the strong bond of our family.

Rustica earned her Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics at the Philippine Women's University in 1954. Soon after, she started working at the Bureau of Agricultural Extension (BAEx) in Ilagan, Isabela. She then later transferred to another branch in Basco, Batanes in 1957, where she eventually met the love of her life, Quintin Parguian. They married on January 8th, 1961, and decided to settle down in Tuguegarao, Cagayan in 1963 to establish their big family.

Despite her highly demanding job, Rustica's priorities laid in taking care of the needs of her children and her husband—from making sure the family ate breakfast before going to school or work, having the clothes laid out and prepared for her entire family, to making the most delicious desserts. When she was home, there was always great food, a clean home, and endless snacks.

Rustica had an accomplished career as a Home Economics and Nutrition expert. Starting out as a simple government employee in the Bureau of Agricultural Extension (BAEx), she climbed up the ranks all the way to becoming the Regional Chief of Operations of the Department of Agriculture in Region II, Cagayan Valley. She represented her department during conventions and educational projects in India, Korea and other Asian countries. She furthered her knowledge and skills by earning a Master's Degree in Public Administration at Cagayan State University in 1986, graduating in the Dean's List of Academic Excellence, and received the superlative distinction of Meritissimus for her thesis defense. Her dedication to her work was well recognized by her peers and subordinates, most referring to her as their mentor and advisor. Her exemplary work has been noticed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), choosing her as one of the Home Economist references from the Philippines for their project 'An Evaluation of Family Planning Assistance Through Home Economics,' conducted in 1980.

One can say that Rustica was a workaholic, and was passionate about her career at the Department of Agriculture. But she willingly gave that up for her family, opting to retire early at the age of 57, on June 1st, 1991 to migrate to the United States of America after having been petitioned by her son, Joselito, to give the rest of her children the opportunity to live the American Dream.

She initially had a hard time adjusting to a post-retirement lifestyle where she was at home all day, in a new country with a totally different culture, that she begged her son to get her a job. She soon was working retail and was able to build friendships at work, with her co-workers also calling her "Mama Rose," for being motherly to all her younger friends. She eventually adjusted to her new home, and to her new role as a full-time Grandmother. She never wanted to be called "Lola" or "Grandma" but only wanted to be called "Mama Rose" by her grandchildren. Ever the caretaker she is, Mama Rose took care of all her grandchildren, whether it be babysitting, bringing them to school, or financially assisting their education. She was blessed to have met and held in her arms all of her great-grandchildren before she went to her eternal home.

Rustica Llobrera Parguian was a loving daughter and sister, a doting wife, an amazing mother, an accomplished career woman, a nurturing grandmother, and a devout Roman Catholic. She was preceded by her husband, Quintin Velasco Parguian; her parents, Casimiro and Dolores Llobrera; her siblings Pompeyo Llobrera, Ester Llobrera, and Renato Llobrera; her grandchildren Jacqueline Rose Parguian and Kiara Celine Parguian; and survived by her sister Elisa Granada, her seven children Ferdinand, Joselito, Vencedor, Constantine, Percival, Jonathan, and Maripi Dolly, her daughters-in-law, 15 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

Her family will hold a viewing service at Davis Seawinds Funeral Home on 560 Montreal Avenue, Melbourne, FL 32935, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm on April 18th, 2024, Thursday.

On Friday, April 19th, 2024, she will be at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church located at 3050 N Hwy A1A, Indialantic, FL 32903, for viewing from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm prior to the Funeral Mass at 1:30 pm. She will then be interred at Fountainhead Funeral Home and Memorial Park at 7359 Babcock St SE, Palm Bay, FL 32909.