Ligaya Pascual Rios, 84 of Whiting, passed away surrounded by her family on Friday, July 21.

Ligaya was born in Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines, where she, along with her six brothers and sisters, was raised by her loving parents, Epiphania Castro Pascual and Conrado Pascual, M.D.  When she was only sixteen, her mother passed away and she quickly, selflessly, and without hesitation assumed the responsibility of managing the household and caring for her family.  She balanced this with pursuing her education and completing her undergraduate degree in business at the University of the Philippines.

In 1967, she moved to the United States to work and pursue her MBA at Fordham University.  Soon after, (thanks to her brother-in-law, Ed) she met the love of her life and best friend, Jesus Rios.  They married in 1971, and eventually moved to Marlboro, New Jersey to raise their children, though she continued to commute for over thirty years to her accounting job at NYU School of Medicine.  Ligaya was devoted to her entire family and opened her heart and her home to all, especially her nieces and nephews, whether it was just for a few hours, a few days, or a few years. Nothing brought her more joy than to be with her loved ones and, of course, feed them. A renowned cook, lumpia, kare kare, and pancit are just a few of her signature dishes, although if you ask her eldest grandson, Owen, the best by far is her sinigang.

Ligaya was a devout Catholic and was a parishioner at St. Gabriel’s RC Church in Marlboro, and then St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Whiting.  She was also an active member of the Mary Queen of Peace prayer group for many years.  Although her failing health and memory eventually made it more difficult to actively participate in the group, Ligaya continued to live by example and share her faith with others, especially her grandchildren.  She never failed to remind Owen, Chris, and Enzo “to pray and love God” every time she saw them.

Ligaya was predeceased by her parents Epiphania Castro Pascual & Conrado Pascual, M.D.; her brothers Conrado Pascual, Jr. and Conrado Pascual, III; and her sister, Lourdes Persinger.

Surviving is her devoted husband Jesus; her son Jose Rios, M.D., Ph.D. and his wife Arlene Balubayan, M.D.; her daughter Elena Rios Drudy, M.D. and her husband, Gregory; her grandsons Lorenzo Rios and Owen and Christopher Drudy; her sisters Evangelina Poblete, M.D., Lutgarda Pena, Librada Villanueva; and her brother, Florendo Conrado Pascual.

Visitation Wednesday, July 26^th 2:00 – 4:00 pm and 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733.  Mass of Christian burial Thursday, July 27^th 11:00 am at St. Gabriel’s RC Church, 100 N. Main Street, Marlboro.  Interment to follow in St. Gabriel’s Cemetery, 549 County Road 520, Marlboro.

For messages of condolence, please visit Ligaya’s page of tributes at www.holmdelfuneralhome.com.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Whiting.