August 23, 1939 - June 8, 2025
Alicia Lusterio Agno passed away peacefully on Sunday June 8, 2025 at Vancouver General Hospital at the age of 85.
Devoted and beloved wife of the late Teofisto Chavez Agno and loving mother to Arlene (Davy), Zed, Arnold (Tricia and their children/ daughters Christina, Chelsea and Kayla), Alfred (Momoe and their daughter, Nina) and Andrew (Jobina and their children Caleb, Ethan and Alyssa).
Mom was the eldest daughter and third child born to Maximiano and Petra Lusterio on August 23, 1939. She is survived by her younger sisters, Imelda (and children, Juanito, Johnimel and JC and Annie (and her children), and younger brother Maximiano Jr, along with a large extended family from both the Lusterio and Agno side located in the Philippines, Canada and the US.. Alicia's easy smile and genuine warmth resonated with countless people, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she encountered, whether her neighbours on Commercial Drive and in Fort St. James, or the clientele she knew by name at the Fort St James dental clinic.
Alicia pursued higher education, attending University and graduating with a degree in accounting. She became a Certified Public Accountant, working as a public servant where she met Dad, Teofisto, who predeceased her on April 26, 2024.
In January 1975, Alicia and Teofisto immigrated to Canada, an astonishingly brave step that meant a great deal of sacrifice on her part, to build a warm and inviting home for her five children. She left everything she had ever known, already being a mother to four children at the time, already having a family and a successful career, all to give her children a better life an ocean away. Her family was always her first priority.
A woman of elegant style, Alicia meticulously documented her family's life. She ensured her children always had new outfits for every milestone, creating cherished photo albums that captured their growth in the Philippines and Fort St. James. In Fort St. James her professional life included babysitting and later bookkeeping, also assisting Dad's colleagues with their income taxes. She always took immense pride in her work. She proved she could do anything she set her mind to by getting her driver's license in her 40s.
Bright and insightful, Alicia instilled a lifelong love of reading in her children and often filled the home with her singing and humming. Her creative spirit was evident in her beautiful crocheted pieces, from doilies and ponchos to intricate curtains and bedspreads. Alicia loved her grandchildren and thoroughly enjoyed being their caregiver at retirement. She took a keen interest in their many activities and spoiled them with made-to-order pancakes, lumpia and pancit.
Alicia's family extends their sincere gratitude to her sister, Imelda, for her unwavering support. Their appreciation also goes out to Imelda's children and their cousins, the children of their Uncle Ricardo Sr. The family would also like to thank the many relatives in the Philippines who have shown their respect and love for Alicia, as well as her husband, during their extended visits as snowbirds.
Alicia's family would like to sincerely thank all that helped in the care of Alicia: the staff at the Cedar Cottage Day Program, particularly Hazel and Melissa. Dr Bartlett at VCH, Robert and Lily Lee support staff. Thank you to the many doctors and nurses that cared for Mom, as well as the Catholic Ministry that administered the ointment of the sick and, ultimately, the last rite. Their dedication ensured Alicia was treated with dignity and respect.
The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation or the Cancer Society, in honour of Alicia Lusterio Agno.
From her family, near and far, she will be dearly missed.