Teresita Avancena Chargualaf

Teresita Avenceña Chargualaf originally from Manila,Philippines was called to rest peacefully by our heavenly Father on Sunday July 15, 2018 in San Diego, California.She will be dearly missed by her son Joseph Joaquin Chargualaf and his wife Cynthia Nisperos Chargualaf and twodaughters – Dereka Danielle & Danika Gabrielle; Edward David Chargualaf, Jr. and his wife Christina Lizama Chargualaf and their children – Jayna Elizabeth, Joshua,Hannah Isabella & Edward David, III; and Valerianne Lourdes Teresita Avenceña Chargualaf-Stephenson and her husband Craig Stephenson and their sons – Cole Alan and Luke Ridge.

In her new life, she has joined her husband, Edward David Chargualaf; her granddaughter, Angela Gabrielle Nisperos Chargualaf; her parents, Jose & Lourdes Avanceña; her siblings, Francisco & Belen Avanceña, Arsenius & Carmen Wuitschick, Mary G. Avanceña; and her nieces, Lorna ‘Nonette’ Avanceña and Mary E. Wuitschick.

Teresita was born and raised in the Philippines and lived for several years on Guam and Hawaii prior to relocating to San Diego, CA so she could be closer to her children and grandchildren. After graduating at the top of her class from Santa Isabel College in the Philippines, she pursued her love of music teaching ballet, jazz, and swing at Guam Academy of Music where she first met her husband to be Edward David Chargualaf (Ed/David). After years of courtship that included an overseas relationship while David was deployed, they finally reunited and married in 1965. She worked for several years as the sales manager for over 20 years with Foremost, the primary distributor of ice cream (yay!), Hershey's candy (yay again!), Cocoa-cola, and dairy products on the island. She followed her sales career to Kweks Enterprise, the major distributor of seafood (hello gout) for another 10 years. During this period she made many professional acquaintances who became close friends to include the principals at all the schools her children attended (boo). She later moved to Hawaii. Prior to moving to San Diego, she attended a culinary school in the Philippines specializing in desserts (a welcome hello to diabetes...no regrets). While she made it a point to take care of her children, who lived in different places, she was happy when the entire family settled in San Diego.

As a mother, she was engaged at all the school activities throughout their educational careers from kindergarten to high school and even to college. She was known by all the peers of her children as the "Ice cream lady" as she would make sure that ice cream was provided for all class and social events, and the home freezer was filled with gallons and boxes of frozen treats (THANKS MOM). This love extended to all who visited us as no one could leave the house without eating. On several occasions, Dad would let her know that out of town visitors would be arriving for dinner in a couple hours and somehow she coordinated a full meal with several courses by the time they arrived (with the exception of salad...yay!). On many occasions last minute potluck information was shared on the way to school and her honey ham, chicken kelaguen, red rice and of course ice cream were among the items her kids volunteered to bring. She was understanding and patient dealing with all the challenges of the household and never let on the difficult tasks of making her efforts appear seamless and stress free. I remember her smiling many, many times...just not in pictures.

As a wife, Teresita loved her husband unconditionally and stayed by his side for over 50 years. Even when Ed joined God, our father in 2017, she frequently whispered to herself that she loved him. She balanced a successful career, turned down promotions as she prioritized family first, and followed her husband to where his job took him. She maintained a household while her husband was on business trips and was involved with several business, community, school and recreational boards the children were involved in.

As a grandmother, she so LOVED her grandkids and often referred to them as her own. Her home was known as "The House of Yes". From the oldest granddaughter to the youngest grandson, parental advise was heard but she did an excellent job of listening to the kids. Coke, sugar, fast foods, home cooked meals, baking desserts, and transporting the kids to and from school were part of her routine for decades. She would frequently ask for more time with the children and would never allow discipline in her house as the kids could never do any wrong. As time passed, her beautiful artwork on the wall was replaced with invaluable pictures, artwork and gifts from the grandkids as she treasured them all. She was truly a beautiful lady inside and out.

She enjoyed cooking, dancing, listening to music, listening to her husband sing and tell stories (sometimes telling him to stop when it got silly) and especially enjoyed taking care of her family. She loved watching baseball, football (Padres and Chargers), as well as basketball. She loved her orchids and at one time had hundreds. Tessie was a God-fearing church going Catholic who never swore (maybe only once). She prayed frequently and was happy when her sons went into the seminary (but that didn't go through). She loved to dress well with a tasteful and conservative appearance yet elegant and professional as the occasion required.

Tessie loved her family and while she had many roots in multiple countries and states, the place she called home was where her family stayed. Grandma/Nana/Mom/Auntie Tessie/Nina/Tess made it a point to always be there for her people she loved. She adored her grandchildren and in her eyes they could do no wrong. Attending and cooking for birthday parties, holidays, and any occasion big and small, was a task she loved and made sure that she was present for everything.

We love and miss you so much Mom!!!