Josephine Louise Fuchigami Abalos

Josephine Louise Fuchigami Abalos, 86, of New York, New York, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2024, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Josephine was born on May 26, 1938, to parents Cipriano Abalos Sr. and Evangeline Fuchigami in Baguio City, Philippines, the eldest of their ten children. After graduating from Baguio City High School, she obtained her Registered Nurse Diploma at St. Luke’s School of Nursing. She then achieved her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of the Philippines Diliman, where she was awarded as a University Scholar. Josephine emigrated from the Philippines to North America in 1962. She completed nursing training under the Foreign Exchange Program of the Graduate Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Following her training in Philadelphia, Josephine worked in Chicago and Toronto, and then earned her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Syracuse University. In 1971, she moved to Manhattan, New York City. In New York, Josephine worked at Beth Israel Medical Center, followed by Cabrini Medical Center where she retired as the Assistant Director of Nursing. In her retirement, she enjoyed being a true and proud New Yorker—attending the US Open, going to Broadway shows and the ballet, and dining in Chinatown. She lived and thrived in Manhattan until 2022, when she moved to Virginia Beach to spend her remaining life with family. Josephine is survived by her sisters, Sonia Maliones and Hilda Monte, her nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews. Josephine’s family extends their sincerest gratitude and appreciation to her friends in New York, who have selflessly supported and cared for her. A private memorial service will be held at Smith and Williams Funeral Home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In honor of her final wishes, Josephine’s remains will be spread in Virginia Beach, the Philippines, and New York.