Leticia Ouano Arnaiz

Leticia Paas Ouano Arnaiz passed away on Friday, April 7th in Riverside, California. She spent her final hours surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Letty is preceded in death by her father (Damian Ouano), her mother (Anunsacion Ouano), her brother (Mario Ouano), and her ex-husband (Nilo Arnaiz). She is survived by her children; Emily/Maria (David), Jay (Chris), Danny, Daphne (Andre), Nadine (David), Andre/Nilo (Tonia), and Tanya (Ed), her 17 grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Letty was born on October 17, 1937, in Surigao, Philippines. The oldest of her cousins, she was a favorite of her father and of her many aunts and uncles. Letty spent a happy and pampered childhood shuttling between her grandfather’s house in Opao, Cebu, and her parents’ home in Surigao. She attended Santa Teresa College in Cebu and later, the University of Santo Tomas in Manila where she studied medicine.

At Santo Tomas, Letty met Nilo and fell in love. They married on April 8, 1961. Soon after, she had their first child, Emily. Emily was quickly followed by Jay and Dan. In 1964, Letty joined Nilo in New York City where Nilo completed his medical residency at Mount Sinai Queens. Their family grew when Daphne and after, Nadine, were born. In 1967, the family returned to Cebu. Nilo joined a medical practice, and Letty gave birth to their sixth child, Andre. The family returned to the U.S. in 1971 and lived on Staten Island and then New Jersey but decided it was best to go where it was warm year-round. They settled in Riverside, California, in 1972.

Letty was a generous and loving woman, and a wonderful cook. The neighborhood kids and later, high school friends, would always find their way to the house on Via Pintada for delicious adobo, BBQ pork skewers and a chat with “Mrs. Arnaiz”. During the busy and full 1970s, Tanya, her seventh child, joined the family.

Letty valued education and expected her children to apply themselves to their studies. She was so proud that all her children completed college and attained postgraduate degrees. But above all, Letty valued family. Her children grew up in the knowledge that their mother loved them unconditionally. She often said that her greatest accomplishment was that her children married well and raised their children with that same unconditional love.

Letty loved children and when her children were grown, she went to work at Apple Tree Day Care and later, at Hawarden Hills Academy as a teacher and librarian. Her former students and their parents remember Miss Letty as a caring, thoughtful, and effective teacher.

After 20 plus years, she retired to be a full-time Lola. Lola was the center around which family get-togethers and vacations were planned. The 20 years before her death were filled with laughter, family, food, and more food. Lola leaves behind a large and loving family, relatives and friends who will not forget her, and who will keep their love for her beyond the grave.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Assistance League of Riverside, 3707 Sunnyside Dr., Riverside, CA 92506.

A viewing will be on Monday, May 8, 2023, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary, 7944 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA 92504.

A resurrection mass will be on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, starting at 11:00am at St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church, 3680 Arlington Ave., Riverside, CA 92506.

The burial service will be on Tuesday, May 10, 2023, starting at 1:00pm at Olivewood Memorial Park, 3300 Central Ave., Riverside, CA 92506.