Estrellita “Lita” Lorenzo Nuguid
October 12, 1946 – July 26, 2015
It is with profound sadness that Simply the Best TV Show and MetroVan Independent News team announced the sudden passing of Lita Nuguid, a good friend and a community leader. She is pre-deceased by her father Sylvester Nuguid and survived by her mother Rosario Nuguid.
Lita is deeply loved and will be forever missed by her children Jet Tan (wife Pia Tan) and Victoria Ireland (husband Chris Ireland), by her grandchildren James Tan, Jaxen Tan and Ryan Ireland, by her siblings Carmelita Weichart, Dory Paradero, Rocky Nuguid, Danilo Nuguid, Teresita Carolino, Joy Lewis. There is no doubt that Lita’s passing is a sad loss in the community. Lita will be dearly missed by all her friends, associates and colleagues.
Lita Nuguid
So often when we lose someone we hold on to the incredible qualities and values they embodied — no matter what, those qualities and values would become even more important to us. We strive to epitomize those values in our own lives and that someday we hope to share those qualities with others.
It’s hard to put into words what our good friend Lita Nuguid embodies in our minds, in our thoughts, and in our memories. We remember her pretty face, her beautiful smile and her inner strength.
Lita Nuguid was a vibrant and lovely lady who tirelessly gave back to the community of Richmond while actively supporting all other communities in Metro Vancouver. It makes it hard to comprehend her death.
Lita and I spent wonderful and meaningful conversations together through the years. I’m so glad now that I had those moments with her and realized firsthand her true dedication and stand on many issues.
On Facebook posts and my conversations with her colleagues, we have been talking this week about holding on to memories. Though the pain of loss seems impossible, people somehow manage to use their memories and their grief to create astounding things, whether they’re big or small.
I have fond memories of Lita. She would call me at the weirdest time and I would call her during her babysitting duties.
When she invited me to her Haiyan fundraising dinner in Richmond, I didn’t even think twice. My husband Steve and I were happy to help. She even reserved seats for us with her own family.
After a month, I called and asked if they already remitted the funds collected to the Canadian Red Cross. I asked her tough questions and she responded back with respect and honesty. She didn’t have any problem with showing transparency and happily connected me with her colleagues.
My relationship with Lita is special. We had a lot in common. We both love make-up, especially lip colors. We both love nice clothes, immaculate hair and, best of all, we share the same political views. Her deep understanding of my passion to help other people truly put us together on a different level and perhaps our mutual admiration made our unique friendship stronger.
And for those who don’t know, we sometimes talked for hours. And it’s true what I posted on Facebook, that we laughed and gossiped every once in awhile and “LOL’d”!
She was straightforward, caring and very supportive. I would cherish the times she would come to see me at the River Rock Casino’s Lulu’s Lounge and the Starlight Casino. It felt good to see her radiant face in the crowd.
Her random calls, uplifting private messages, unselfish deeds, call for action and beautiful smile makes our relationship special in many ways and I will truly miss her. There is no doubt that Lita’s passing is a sad loss in the community. Lita will be dearly missed by everyone who knows her.
To her beautiful family, close friends, associates, colleagues and her group “Filipino Friends in Richmond”, I want you to know that my family, my team and I share in your grief. Our very deepest sympathies.
