Maremedios Villaluna

Maria Remedios Salgado Villaluna ("Maria" or "Inday" to her Filipino family/friends), age 75, of Roanoke, VA, passed on the morning of Tuesday, October 28, 2025, in Atlanta, GA, with her son by her side and holding her hand.

Born on January 14, 1950, in the fishing town of Madridejos, on the island of Bantayan, north of Cebu province, Philippines, Maria was one of six children and the older of the two daughters of Remedios Casas Salgado and Alberto Abelarde Villaluna, Sr.

Maria completed her secondary education at Holy Rosary Academy, a Catholic secondary educational institution in Sipalay, Southern Negros Occidental. In 1968, she enrolled at the Southern Islands Hospital School of Nursing in Cebu, a well-respected and top-ranked nursing school, where she graduated with a B.S. in Nursing in 1971. After successfully passing her nursing board exam, she worked at the company hospital of the Insular Lumber Company ("ILCO"), which was reputed to be the largest sawmill in the world at that time. She then applied to work as a nurse in the U.S., where her first assignment was a small hospital in Montezuma, GA. After completing her assignment in Montezuma, she transferred to Beaumont, TX, where she worked at the children's hospital. According to her classmates and co-workers, Maria was an excellent nurse. In fact, one of the babies she helped deliver while working in Montezuma was named after her.

Maria retired from nursing after moving to Roanoke, VA, but continued to dedicate herself to a life of service through helping others and serving her community. She enjoyed socializing with friends and family; hosting parties, holiday gatherings and birthdays; playing tennis; going on walks; playing mahjong; and volunteering at local organizations like Madonna House and RAM House. She also loved animals, especially her family dogs, Angie, Bogart, and Toby. Everyone who knew Maria described her as tough, strong-willed, fun-loving, compassionate, and committed to her family, especially her son, Scott. True to her life's calling as a nurse, she was a person who put the needs of others before her own and was the glue of her family.

As a woman strongly committed to her faith, Maria prayed the Rosary every day and regularly attended Mass at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Our Lady of Nazareth Roman Catholic Church, and St. Gerard Catholic Church.

She is preceded in death by her brothers Rene Villaluna, Alberto Villaluna, Jr., Tito Villaluna, and sister, June Vamenta.

Maria is survived by her son, Scott Lofranco; her brother, Larry Villaluna; her brother-in-law, Rene Vamenta; her nieces, Rachel Vamenta and Kristin Vamenta; her best friend/sister, Winnie Diaz; her best friend from nursing school, Toni Calderon Full; her best friend from high school/classmate, Eriberto Layda; family friend and priest Fr. Nixon Negparanon; and her grand-dog, Bodhi. She also leaves behind many close family members, friends, and classmates, who will miss her dearly.

On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, a Funeral Mass and service celebrating Maria's life will take place at noon at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Roanoke, VA. Pursuant to her final wishes, her remains will be interred in the columbarium at St. Andrew's.