Obituary of Anita Alquinto Vitug

Anita Vitug was ready to meet her Creator at the age of 80. She is survived by her husband of nearly 48 years, Eulalio (Victor), daughter, Jennie Breister (husband, James and their children, Nina and Chet); son, Victor Aries Vitug (wife, Jennet and their children, Ayden and Austin); and step-daughter Vinia Liza McClain (husband, Richard; children, Alexander, Angelina, Stanley, Michael and Cyrenna).

Growing up in Santa Ana, located in metro-Manila, Philippines, education was a priority in the Alquinto family. Anita’s father, Anselmo, was Director of the Philippine National Planning Commission, later the Dean of the School of Architecture at the Mapua Institute of Technology. Her mother, Eleuteria, taught at Philippine Women’s University. Anita attended Santa Ana Elementary School and Araullo High School, Class of ’54. She completed the University of Santo Tomas pre-nursing program and ultimately graduated from Chinese General Hospital School of Nursing in 1958.

Anita was the eldest of six siblings, including Armando Alquinto (wife, Rosalina, both deceased), Amelia Balajadia (husband, Hermogenes), Adelaida Salcedo, Adolfo Alquinto (wife, Linda) and Aurora Zalameda (husband, Lauro).

It’s during college when she met Leonor Hocson (now “Leni” Marfori, husband, Robert), forging a bond commuting together to school in those early years, in what was to become a life-long friendship. They became Godmother to each other’s children, and visited each other multiple times a year with their families for many years. Other close friends from college include Emolyn Balquedra-Nemivant, Lucy Enriquez-Loresca, Edith Caedo, Rexy Eleazar-Gamit, Nena Abrenica-Nathanielz and Ofelia Dela Cruz- Izuno.

The early 1960s were a time of world adventure and career growth for Anita. She and Leni had worked at University of the East Memorial Hospital. Then Anita moved to Lucena General Hospital in the province of Quezon.  Later, she became a company nurse for Philippine Airlines, traveling around the globe. This is how she was spotted by the Philippine Ambassador to Italy Benigno Toda Sr., who at the time, had to travel quite a bit and was often ill. He selected Anita as his private R.N. on special assignment, refusing to appoint any other nurse. Anita had fond memories of this period in her life, re-telling stories to her children of romance and adventure in Rome, Paris and throughout Europe.

Anita then embarked on her quest to work in the U.S., taking up a registered nursing position at Georgetown University Hospital.

In September 1969, Anita met Eulalio (Victor) Vitug, on a blind date in a cozy Chinese restaurant in Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco. En-route from a visit home to the P.I. and on the way back to Washington D.C., Anita found herself courted by Victor, who knew at first sight that this was the Filipina who would become his wife. She never made it back to D.C. After a whirlwind romance, they married in Reno, Nevada, on December 15, 1969, witnessed by Leni and Robert Marfori, and Victor’s sister, Priscilla and her then husband, Antonio.

Victor was previously married with two young daughters (Vinia Liza and Bridgette Lee) and Vinia would now be raised by her new step-mom, Anita. Jennie Anne was born in 1970; Victor Aries was born in 1971. Anita was a working mother, first as an R.N. at St. Mary Hospital in San Francisco; then moving to Seton Medical Center in Daly City, where she would remain until retirement in the late 1990s. Anita and Vic were always known for their hospitality and generosity - hosting legendary parties, attending balls and dancing, always dancing.

Anita and Victor remained in the Bay Area until 2000, when they moved to Las Vegas to continue Victor’s business in mortgage and real estate. Anita spent her early retirement days shopping, especially for her grandchildren, cooking delicious meals, and reading her beloved collection of books - biographies in particular, as well as architecture and pop culture magazines. As of late, she faithfully cared for Victor and longed for the opportunity to return home to the Philippines, a trip that they were in the midst of planning when she passed away suddenly.

Anita was graceful, elegant, loving, loyal, generous, kind and intelligent. She was a devoted wife, proud mother and lola, caring sister and tita, and dear friend.  She was a fashionista, voracious reader, expert cook, baker and lover of music and the arts. She will be cherished forever by all who knew her.

For those able to join us, services will be held on Sunday, April 30 in Las Vegas, from 3:30-6:30 pm, at the Kraft-Sussman funeral home (3975 S. Durango Dr, Ste 104, Las Vegas, NV 89147). 

A Celebration of Life ceremony for Anita will also take place in the San Francisco bay area, this summer, at a date to be determined.

Cards of condolence can be sent directly to:

Victor Vitug
10504 Riva De Fiore Ave
Las Vegas  NV  89135

Thank you for your love and support.

"The pain passes, but the beauty remains." 

- Pierre August Renoir
 (one of Anita’s favorite French painters)