Estela Ganibi Bugtong

Estela Ganibi Bugtong, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother went to meet our Heavenly Father on February 13, 2023. She was surrounded with the love of her husband, children and grandchildren before her passing.

Estela was a Christmas eve baby, born on December 24, 1935 in Candon, Ilocos Sur, Philippines to Guillermo Viloria Ganibi and Gregoria Raiz Ganibi. She was one of four children. The oldest was Guillermo Jr who predeceased her. Estela, born second, was the eldest of three girls. She is survived by her sisters Gloria and Lilia. Estela attended the University of the Philippines in Queson City, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, class of 1959. After taking her nursing board exam she went to her hometown to work at her uncle’s medical clinic. She was awaiting her exam results when she met the love of her life, Leonardo Robles Bugtong. He was the pastor of a nearby church, Holy Cross Lutheran. Estela and Leo married on December 30, 1961 on Leo’s 28th birthday. They were blessed with four children, Reuben Leo, Ruth Estela, Barry Gil, and Rachel Joy. Trusting that God had a plan for their lives, they emigrated to Canada in 1971. The whole family thrived in the north country. Estela learned how to drive, especially in snowy weather. As a foreign educated nurse with her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, Estela challenged the Canadian Nursing Board to allow her to take the nursing exam. She passed with flying colors and went on to join the faculty at Conestoga College as a Nurse Educator.

In 1979 trusting in God still, the family moved to Hawaii. Leo finished his Master’s degree in Sacred Theology and was then called to minister to the unchurched Filipinos on the island of Oahu. Estela’s nursing career was a long, soaring arc that touched many people. One of Estela’s more notable accomplishments was establishing a review class for foreign educated nurses. She worked with the Hawaii Board of Nursing and the local government to remove stumbling blocks for these foreign educated and skilled nurses to give them the tools to pass the nursing board exam. She helped to alleviate the nursing shortage in Hawaii. She was recognized by the House of Representatives of the State of Hawaii 23rd legislature in 2005. The program Estela started is still offered at the University of Hawaii Kapiolani Community College.

Throughout her life Estela was a loving wife and mother who lived her life for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She led with her heart and befriended everyone she met. As a pastor’s wife Estela welcomed many people into her home, encouraging, teaching and supporting many she knew. Estela is preceded in death by her father Guillermo Viloria Ganibi, her mother Gregoria Raiz Ganibi, and her brother Guillermo Ganibi Jr. She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Revered Leonardo Robles Bugtong, sons Reuben Leo Bugtong (Elizabeth) of Las Vegas, Nevada, Barry Gil Bugtong (Victoria) of Annapolis, Maryland, daughters Ruth Estela Pownall (Robert) of Purcellville, Virginia, and Rachel Joy Endres (Jeffrey) of Tucson, Arizona, sisters Gloria Ganibi Adviento and Lilia Ganibi Garcia, both of Las Vegas, Nevada, ten much loved grandchildren, Keone (wife Sato) and Arielle Logan, Jacob and Casey Bugtong and Jessica Bugtong (Grant) Smith, Malia, Katie and Zack Pownall, and Dana and Marshall Bugtong, as well as great grandchildren Kirito and Kouno Logan. There are also many extended family and friends scattered across the globe.

Estela will be sorely missed, but we rejoice in knowing that at last, Estela has gone on to live in our Heavenly Father’s house.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Faith Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, or Estela’s childhood church, Tamurong United Methodist Church in Tamurong, Candon Ilocos Sur, Philippines.

A visitation for Estela will be held Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Palm Northwest Mortuary, 6701 North Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89131. A funeral service will occur Friday, February 24, 2023 at 10:00 AM, 6701 North Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89131. A committal service will occur Friday, February 24, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Palm Northwest Cemetery, 6701 North Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89131. A reception will occur Friday, February 24, 2023 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, 6701 North Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89131.

Estela will be laid to rest in Palm Northwest Cemetery, 6701 North Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89131; Garden of Peace.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmnorthwest.com for the Bugtong family.