Purita B.Rigoroso Obituary (1930 - 2025) - Port Orchard, Washington

In Loving Memory of Purita Badilla Rigoroso February 2, 1930 - March 18, 2025 Purificación “Purita” Rigoroso (nee Bresenio-Badilla) born on February 2, 1930 in Baao, Philippines, departed this Earth on March 18, 2025 from Valley Medical in Renton, Washington. Purita passed away in the presence and love of family members, reached the age of 95 and is now at peace with our Heavenly Father. Purita had a calming presence, was steadfast, strong, smart, influential, funny, compassionate, beautiful, stylish, disciplined and the most loyal and loving to her family and friends. Purita spent the first 50 years of her life in the Philippines. She graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines and upon graduation she began a career teaching home economics at the University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP). At UNEP, she met and married a fellow teacher, Jose Dy-Sanchez Rigoroso on January 19, 1957 and had two daughters. Purita took great pride in her teaching. Her students continue to ask about Purita and recount her influence on their learning, decades later. After Purita retired from teaching, she immigrated to the United States in 1981. Purita left her friends, family, and community behind to follow her daughter Janine and son-in-law Jules to help raise their children. When she moved to Virginia, she became an active member of the Bicol Association of Tidewater from the early 1980s to 2021 when she moved to Washington state. She was also a devoted parishioner of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. These communities helped with the isolation that so many immigrants face when leaving their motherland behind. Purita had so many fond memories of Peñafrancia celebrations and family gatherings. The laughter and friendships she gained from these communities were of critical importance. One of Purita's milestones was when she obtained her U.S. citizenship in 1991. She studied and took the process in earnest, which marked the pride she had in her new home, the country that had provided her family so many opportunities. In addition to Purita’s great devotion to the Catholic church, she was the best cook, her escabeche (Filipino sweet and sour fish), spicy laing, pork adobo and gulai recipes were always requested at family and community gatherings. Even until her last weeks, she grew excited when discussing Filipino food with family and friends. She loved to garden, tended to her thriving plants and always had beautiful rose bushes in the front lawn. She enjoyed live music, dancing and would never miss her Price is Right episodes or her daily soap operas: The Young and the Restless and Bold and the Beautiful. She was a zealous Washington Wizards fan, although complained about the players’ tattoos, was well-traveled, having traveled all over the United States, Canada, Europe and most recently, travel to the Dominican Republic and the Philippines. From the early 1980s to mid 2000s, Purita had a strong presence in her grandchildren’s upbringing, having lived with the family, served as caretaker and managed the household. Her grandchildren considered “Mama” as a source of safety and comfort and are grateful for her steadfast love, devotion and pride. Purita was also motivated and energized by regular visits with her great grandchildren (who affectionately called her “Lola Mama”) from their visits to her in Virginia and more constistently upon her move to Washington state. Purita is preceded in death by her husband, Jose Rigoroso (1976), her daughter Jessica, who tragically passed at 6 months old of whooping cough (1960), her 13 siblings, Paula, Victoria, Catalina, Cirilo, Necerata, Rosario, Susana, Manuel, Anicia, Merly, Romeo, Orlando, Adelwisa and parents, Lucia Bresenio and Feliciano Badilla. Purita is survived by her daughter, Janine (Jules), grandchildren, Janis (Brian), John Paul, Jessica (Ngawang), and great grandchildren, Noah Kai and Sabine Jules. Purita fought hard until the end of life, having overcome diagnoses that medical professionals forecasted as her final moments over the past few years. Janine and Jules served as dutiful caretakers 24/7 over the past few years when Purita needed daily care. The family is thankful to Purita’s caretakers at Valley View Adult Family Home in Kent, WA who demonstrated compassion and kindness in her final months. Details for novena prayers and a service to celebrate Purita’s life are forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends prayer and if moved, donations to Dementia Society of America or Family Caregiver Alliance in honor of Purita.