Dr. Marieta Agawin Bajit

Dr. Marieta Bajit passed away peacefully on February 1, 2023. Born in 1942 in Pagsanjan Falls, Laguna, Philippines to Fidelino Agawin and Marciana Gamboa Agawin, she graduated from the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Medical School, (Manila, Philippines) Class of 1963. After a general internship in Paterson, NJ she moved to New York City to complete her anesthesiology residency at both the Hospital for Joint Diseases (now NYU Langone Medical Center’s Hospital for Joint Diseases) and St. Luke’s Hospital Center (now Mount Sinai Morningside). Through her UST Medical School classmate and fellow resident, Fernando, she met his brother Jerry Bajit. They wed in 1966, and later relocated to Norfolk, VA. Her son, Michael, was born in the summer of 1969 and her daughter was born in early 1979.

As one of the first female anesthesiologists in Virginia, she joined Anesthesia Service, Inc., in 1973, a private practice group, whose members each had immigrated to the United States. She performed cases and provided care during a 40+ year career in hospitals across Tidewater: (“Old”) Leigh Memorial, Sentara Leigh Memorial, Bon Secours DePaul, Sentara Norfolk General, Humana Bayside, and Chesapeake General. She was an active parishioner of St. Pius X Catholic Church (Norfolk, VA) volunteering on the Parish Council, as well as the FilAm Association. She helped with fundraising and planning for the development of the San Lorenzo Spiritual Center (Virginia Beach, VA). She also was a member of the Filipino Apostolate of Tidewater, Diocese of Richmond. In 1995 she traveled on pilgrimage to Rome and Vatican City to celebrate the 175th year of the Diocese of Richmond. The highlight of their tour was a private audience with Saint John Paul II on October 13th, in which she shook the hand of the Pope. She was an active, life-long member of the Philippine Medical Association of Southeastern Virginia (PMA-SEV). Joining her friends and colleagues she occasionally volunteered in healthcare service projects locally and in the Philippines. She also assisted with their fundraising efforts and annual galas. In 2010 publisher Inside Business recognized her in their 8th Annual Women in Business Achievement Awards, among two dozen women “who have overcome adversity, shown tenacity and built successful careers - many of them in what were once male-dominated fields.”

Since she started her medical career in the New York City area of the 1960s she carried a fondness for the New York sports teams of that era, especially the NY Yankees and the NY Knicks. She often surprised people by her knowledge in a wide array of music: from classic rock, pop, and soul to contemporary R&B, hip-hop, and country. She was a fan of music festivals and concerts, attending them whenever she could. A traveler both domestically and internationally, she often recounted memories of her trips to Steamboat Springs, CO; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Vienna, Austria; and, Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. She also enjoyed the different cruises she took with close family friends to different ports-of-call. In retirement, she explored her love of the arts though ballroom dancing, introduction to piano, and basic percussion. She pursued them all for as long as she had the strength to perform.

She was predeceased by her husband, Jerry. She is survived by her sisters: Pat Sayo, Madelina DePaz, Myrna Militante, and Gilda Lapid. Her brother-in-law, Fernando Bajit and sister-in-law, Lourdes Bajit. Her son, Michael, and her daughter, Jennifer. Nieces Mylene Sayo Cooke and Kristin Militante; and nephews Paul John Sayo, Jonathan DePaz, Andre Militante, Jeffrey Militante, Chester Militante, Michael Lapid, Mark Lapid, and Matthew Lapid. Her special extended family: Joanne York, Beverly Harrison, Janice McLaughlin, Patti Killen, Brandon Harrison, and Joey Killen.

Her Wake and Visitation will take place on Friday, February 10, 2023, 6PM - 8PM, at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, VA. Her Funeral Mass will be Saturday, February 11, 2023, 11AM-12PM, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 7800 Halprin Drive, Norfolk, VA. The service will be live streamed: https:// www.youtube.com/@SPXNorfolkMedia then click on “Live” A reception will follow the mass in the church’s parish hall. Please offer your fondest condolences to the family during this difficult time in their lives.