Juanita Pagatpatan Tahilan's Obituary
Juanita Pagatpatan Tahilan
2/18/1932-11/11/2025
Our beloved mom passed away peacefully at Hale Makua -Wailuku with her daughters at her side on November 11, 2025. Mom was 93 at her passing. Mom was born in Badoc, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines on 2/18/1932. She migrated to Maui in 1975 to join dad and children who had come before her. Upon arriving from the Philippines, our family moved to Puunene at the plantation camp where we lived for many years. Mom worked for Monsanto for a few years before joining HC&S where she and dad worked for over 25 years as field workers. I remember mom waking up very early in the mornings to catch her ride to the field and coming home covered in dust from head to toe but never heard her complained once about how hard her work was. After her retirement, mom was just as happy and tirelessly working at her home vegetable garden with dad, she also enjoyed sewing and piecing together fabrics to make clothes and blankets. Mom was an accomplished seamstress and a tailor. Mom was pre-deceased by her parents, Leon and Ignacia Pagatpatan, her eldest child Agnes Tahilan and 7 siblings: Hilario, Saulo, Cirilo, Gregorio Elpidio, Carlina and Teresita. Mom was the last survivor of her generation, the Pagatpatan Family. Mom is survived by our dad Justino Tahilan, her children: Imelda Balmores (David), Ofelia Burrill (Howie) and Robert Tahilan (Ann). 8 grandchildren: Heizel Manuel (Rey), Daniel Prones (Laurie), Michael (Rosie) Balmores, Gabriel Balmores, Matthew (Fiona) Burrill, Taylor Burrill, Ashley Tahilan and Jonah Tahilan. 10 great grandchildren: Maddox and Peyton Prones, Micah, Ryzen, Rylan, Raige Balmores, Skylar and Greyson Balmores, Elle and Mila Burrill and many nieces and nephews and extended family here in Hawaii, Canada and the Philippines. Mom enjoyed her last year at Hale Makua-Wailuku where she received wonderful care from the loving and caring staff whom she considered her family especially Jennifer. She also enjoyed her roommate and friend Jeany where both enjoyed crocheting together. Mom will be remembered for her unselfish love, her hard work, generosity and humility.
Our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Pam Hope, Dr. Xavier Naranjo and to all the wonderful and caring staff of Hale Makua-Wailuku for the love and care for mom.
Funeral service and visitation will be at Nakamura Mortuary on January 3, 2026, from
10:00-12:00 with service at 11:00 and burial at Maui Memorial Park Wailuku at 2:00.
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