Leila Fajardo Lukban
May 21, 1931 – February 23, 2023
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Leila Fajardo Lukban on Thursday, February 23, 2023 in Berkeley, California. She was 91 years old and surrounded by family. She will be cherished by all her friends and family members she leaves behind. Leila was a loving wife of 58 years to Alejandro “Alex” until his passing in 2016.
She is survived by her children Anna Lukban and Elmer Cervantes, Joselito and Elizabeth Jacob, Lourdes Guzman, Kelly and Josephine McIver, Anthony and Tiziana Lukban, Alexei and Michelle Lukban, Andrew and Dr. Farahnaz Lukban, and Albert Lukban and Yves Germain. She will forever be cherished by her grandchildren, Keesa, Carlo, Zach, Alexandra, Adrienne, Agustin, Ana Luisa, Emilio, Alvarho, Iñigo, Alfonso, Gabriella, Kyle, Olivia, Audrey, and Orfeu. She lived to welcome into the world her great-grandchildren, Stella Nora Nicolaidis and Kinley Pablo Ocampo Perrings. Leila’s life and legacy will also be celebrated by her grandchildren’s spouses and partners, Constantine, John, Stephanie, Lissy and Chris Brum. She was predeceased by her son-in-law Jose Guzman.
Leila was born in the Province of Iloilo in 1931 and grew up in Dumalag, Capiz. She graduated from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1953. She pursued her studies towards a Master’s Degree in Education until her marriage to Alejandro in 1957. During her time as a student at the University of the Philippines, Leila was member of the Sigma Delta Phi sorority and a UP Corp Sponsor. She established a career as an educator of Humanities at Adamson University and Art Appreciation at the University of the Philippines Preparatory High School from 1957 to 1971. In 1979, she migrated United States with her family, then migrated to Canada in 1984. Eventually, she settled back in the Bay Area, enjoying time with her family, enriching her spiritual life, and becoming a supernumerary member of Opus Dei. It is through this that she strengthened her daily devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Rosary.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 10am at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption at 1111 Gough Street San Francisco, California, officiated by Fr. Jerald Geronimo. A reception will follow at the Cathedral Event Center, St. Francis Hall. Interment will follow at 2pm at the St. Joseph Cemetery & Funeral Center located at 2560 Church Lane San Pablo, California.
Flowers and prayer cards may be sent to 1347 Nielson St., Berkeley, CA 94702.