Pilar Torres Vizcarra

Pilar was a kind and caring woman that made this world a better place. In the fall of 1923, Pilar was born in Bacoor -- a small rural village roughly twenty-five kilometers outside Manila. She was youngest of five children. Unfortunately, tragedy struck early. She never knew her father. Dad passed away shortly after Pilar’s first birthday. Pilar’s mother took over the farming business. Pilar’s brothers and sisters took odd jobs and banded together to preserve the homestead. The Torres family was built on a firm foundation with strong roots. Pilar was blessed to have an extraordinary mother and amazing siblings.

In the early 1930’s the Torres family needed each able body to work the farms or odd jobs. Pilar made the tough decision and spent her later childhood years working full time. She stood in the scorching sun planting rice. She squatted for hours tirelessly shaving coconut. She took any job that would help bring enough to put food on the table. Each day was punctuated with aching muscles. Returning home, Pilar still mustered the strength and pitched in with the family responsibilities to prepare dinner. The Torres family pulled through these trying times.

By the late 1930’s Pilar’s siblings started families. Pilar willingly assisted with family child care. During Pilar’s teenage years, she had perfected Pilipino cuisine. Pilar had extraordinary culinary skills.

In the winter of 1947, Pilar married Honorio Vizcarra. Over the next 11 years, Pilar gave birth to four children. Pilar raised her family the only way she knew how: by giving them every ounce of herself. She raised her children to love and respect themselves and others. Pilar sewed pretty dresses for her two daughters and made dapper outfits for her husband and two sons. Pilar was an incredible mother. Pilar also believed that knowledge was power. She did remarkable things to provide her children with the necessary educational resources.

By the 1960’s Pilar understood the world was changing quite rapidly and that she needed to be innovative to stay a head of the curve. In addition to running a household, Pilar opened a convenience store that sold goods and provided custom services. From barong embroideries to laundry and iron services, Pilar found was to supplement the household income. Pilar was business savvy. Planning ahead, Pilar raised chickens and pigs to mature during the start of the school term. The livestock was sold and proceeds were used to pay her children’s tuition.

In 1979, Pilar took an opportunity to immigrate to the United States. Pilar uprooted and moved to San Diego. Over the next thirty years, Pilar made trips to northern California and Canada to frequently visit family and friends. Pilar loved to visit national parks. She had hiked the Yosemite trails. She marveled at the Yellowstone geysers. She admired Zion’s red rock formations. Pilar was a bird enthusiast.

Pilar passed away at the age of ninety-two. Her memory will live on as Pilar is survived by her husband, four children, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.