Obituary for Corazon Samodio Cruz
Corazon S. Cruz, 88 years old, passed away on May 22, 2023, surrounded by her family. Corazon was born on October 21, 1934 in the Philippines to the late Candido Samodio and Beatriz Gonzales Samodio.
Cora graduated from medical school in the Philippines in 1961. She practiced medicine in her hometown of Norzagaray and Antipolo until 1973. She migrated to the US and did her 4-year residency in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and opened her own practice in Cherryville, North Carolina in 1980. She served as one of the very few family doctors in Lincoln and Cleveland counties. Her patients loved her. She spent a lot of time with her patients and they always brought her presents like apples, oranges, vegetables and chicks. She worked for the State of North Carolina at Western Carolina Center until her retirement in her early 70’s.
She served the community by providing free medical exams for local high school athletes. She was an active parishioner at St. Dorothy’s Catholic Church in Lincolnton, NC.
Over the years, Cora enjoyed reading books, shopping, bowling, playing mahjong, ballroom dancing, needlework, watching her favorite TV shows and going to the beach house with friends and family. She is survived by her children, Judith and Jun Lancaon, Celia and KC Dunham, Norman and Nini Cruz, and Noel Cruz; her grandchildren, Stephanie and Ron Strulic, April Cruz, Kristi Cruz, Brandon Cruz, Lorraine Lancaon, Rebecca Lancaon and Jorge Gonzalez, Leigh Lancaon, Jillian Cruz, Corina Cruz and Claudia Dunham; her great grandchildren, Brad, Ellie, Andrew, Brandon, Hunter, Mia, Ethan, Malaya, Cruz, Zander, Ozeo, Ever, Hadden, Hailey, Isabella and Jorge Ramon; and her younger sister Maria Rosario Flores.
Cora was predeceased in death by her husband of 67 years, Napoleon Cruz, and her children, Napoleon Cruz Jr., Dr. Herminia Cruz and Nathan Cruz; her siblings, Paulina Samodio, Luz Haravata and Rommel Samodio.
The family will receive friends and family members at Graham Funeral Home, 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake, Virginia on May 26,2023, 6:00-8:00 pm. Celebration mass will be held at St. Mark’s Catholic Church at 1505 Kempsville Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia on May 27, 2023 at 11 am, to be officiated by Rev. Fr. Anthony Mpungu.
Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a message for the family.
Cora graduated from medical school in the Philippines in 1961. She practiced medicine in her hometown of Norzagaray and Antipolo until 1973. She migrated to the US and did her 4-year residency in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and opened her own practice in Cherryville, North Carolina in 1980. She served as one of the very few family doctors in Lincoln and Cleveland counties. Her patients loved her. She spent a lot of time with her patients and they always brought her presents like apples, oranges, vegetables and chicks. She worked for the State of North Carolina at Western Carolina Center until her retirement in her early 70’s.
She served the community by providing free medical exams for local high school athletes. She was an active parishioner at St. Dorothy’s Catholic Church in Lincolnton, NC.
Over the years, Cora enjoyed reading books, shopping, bowling, playing mahjong, ballroom dancing, needlework, watching her favorite TV shows and going to the beach house with friends and family. She is survived by her children, Judith and Jun Lancaon, Celia and KC Dunham, Norman and Nini Cruz, and Noel Cruz; her grandchildren, Stephanie and Ron Strulic, April Cruz, Kristi Cruz, Brandon Cruz, Lorraine Lancaon, Rebecca Lancaon and Jorge Gonzalez, Leigh Lancaon, Jillian Cruz, Corina Cruz and Claudia Dunham; her great grandchildren, Brad, Ellie, Andrew, Brandon, Hunter, Mia, Ethan, Malaya, Cruz, Zander, Ozeo, Ever, Hadden, Hailey, Isabella and Jorge Ramon; and her younger sister Maria Rosario Flores.
Cora was predeceased in death by her husband of 67 years, Napoleon Cruz, and her children, Napoleon Cruz Jr., Dr. Herminia Cruz and Nathan Cruz; her siblings, Paulina Samodio, Luz Haravata and Rommel Samodio.
The family will receive friends and family members at Graham Funeral Home, 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake, Virginia on May 26,2023, 6:00-8:00 pm. Celebration mass will be held at St. Mark’s Catholic Church at 1505 Kempsville Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia on May 27, 2023 at 11 am, to be officiated by Rev. Fr. Anthony Mpungu.
Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a message for the family.