Lydia Guizon Villa-Real

Lydia Guizon Villa~Real

August 29, 1933 to September 11, 2023

“Tribute to a Legendary Woman”

Lydia Guizon Villa~Real – affectionately nicknamed “My Dia~Ly” (pronounced like Jolly), which says it all about her personality – is a shining example of what it really means to truly have a life well lived. Lydia was born on August 29, 1933 to Adelaida Perez Martinez and Carlos Guizon. She had an older brother Ludivico Pascual and a younger brother Enrique Guizon, whom she dearly loved. She transcended the boundaries of physicality and journeyed on to continue her love story romance for infinity with her darling sweetheart, our Papa Moooncat, on September 11, 2023. She was surrounded by family while the Rosary at Our Lady of Lourdes was playing on television. She always dreamt of visiting Our Lady of Lourdes in France, and now she’s able to journey without bounds!
For as long as we could remember… family & faith were the central essence of her existence. When we were children, our parents took us almost every weekend on exciting road trips. We explored historical sites such as the National Monument, Niagara Falls, the Smithsonian, Gettysburg, the Empire State Building, the US Patent Office, and the Kennedy Space Center. Our family enjoyed picnics at the park, beaches, magical forests, orchards, roadside farmer’s markets, and apple cider distilleries. We experienced the greatest of adventures! It didn’t matter where we were, our parents laughed, kissed, sang, and danced as if no one was watching.
During her later years, Lydia reminisced about her childhood. Despite the hardships of World War II, she spoke of how her mom, step-father, siblings, and her family as a whole found a way to play, laugh, and enjoy each other. Lydia loved to swim, go to parties, dance, and was the designated “spiker” on her high school and college volleyball teams. After graduating with a degree in Banking and Finance from Far Eastern University, she continued to work at the university in the admissions department. Because of her love for swimming, she would frequent the local YMCA where she would serendipitously meet the love of her life – our Papa, Antony~Euclid. It was love at first glance. He truly wanted to impress her, so he raced her. Even though he couldn’t swim, he pretended by running across the shallow side of the pool and paddling his arms. Lydia definitely noticed him and would see him at the university wearing his medical school uniform. Antony was quite charming and a true romantic, but he knew he needed her family’s approval. So, he brought food to them and as a med student checked everyone’s vitals. Winning them over, the two started dating, always going in groups, and never alone.
Eventually, Antony journeyed to America to pursue his dreams, first to New York and then to Los Angeles. Although he was away from the Philippines for two years, he relentlessly wrote love letters to Lydia. Finally, she decided to fly to America on the condition that they would marry soon after. She often would retell how she came to the states on a one-way ticket somewhat nervous if Antony would even be at the airport since her flight was delayed in Japan. Well, Antony was at the airport awaiting their blissful reunion. He took her sightseeing around Hollywood, and after hours of walking her feet grew tired and achy. Antony stopped to buy her shoes, and she thought they were the most comfortable shoes she’d ever worn. However, they were actually just house slippers. She loved them anyway. Since Lydia kept her promise to come to America, Antony bought wedding rings from a vendor and convinced a retired pastor to marry them for five dollars on August 22, 1962. They were bursting with excitement and later had a Catholic Church wedding at Saint Anthony’s Church on Olive Street in Long Beach, California.|
As Lydia adjusted to life in America, she took computer classes and learned how to use the gigantic early computers. Lydia began working at Bank of America making one dollar per hour. But with a growing family, she wanted to make a better living. Since Antony worked at a hospital, he befriended the department head who helped Lydia secure a new job there, tripling her pay. This was an example of the collaborative dynamic of their marriage.
Our dearest Mommy and Papa were actually polar opposites; however, anyone looking in from the outside would never figure this to be the case. In their own magical way, our parents were two pieces of a puzzle fitting perfectly together. Because of this, our family led a beautiful adventurous life. We traveled the world and amassed a treasure of memories. Material things did not matter for as far as we were concerned, we were prosperous in love, joy, faith, togetherness, and an abundance of blessings. We always were surrounded by positivity, wonder, and creative imagination with the certainty that all our dreams are possible so long as we believe, are positive, and would never give up. Over the years, our family moved from California to Maryland before settling in Las Vegas, Nevada after eighteen days of traveling and sightseeing across the U.S. It was here in the Neon City that she began a 34-year career as a unit coordinator at Sunrise Hospital where she made many dear friends.
Lydia and Antony have three wonderful children: Maria~Lourdes Stewart (named after Our Lady of Lourdes), Apollo~Euclid G. Villa-Real (named after the Apollo Moonshot), and Antoinette~Euclideana V. Mora (Papa later met nuns who foretold that she would be most like him).
Lydia joins our loving Papa Moooncat – Antony~Euclid C. Villa~Real; her grandparents Daniel Martinez and Jacinta Perez; her parents Adelaida Perez Martinez (whom we affectionately called “Ginga”) and Carlos Guizon; her father~in~law Osmundo Villa~Real and mother~in~law Isidra Villa-Real; her brothers Ludivico Pascual and Enrique Guizon; her aunts Beatrice, Jerusalem, and Belen; her uncles Daniel and Napoleon; extended family Uncle Joe, Uncle Phil, and Aunt Stella; her cousins Nancy, Dave, Jetty, and Manolo; her son~in~law Christopher Glenn and his brother~in~law Pete; along with other loved ones, unborn grandchildren, relatives, friends and fur babies who have since gained their wings.
Her enduring love and legacy shine through her children; her grandchildren – Alexander~Euclid Viray, Paul~Michael Viray, Christina~Marie Stewart, Christopher~James Stewart, Alexis~Taylor Mora, Kaden Apollo Villa-Real, and Kyler Simon Euclid Villa-Real; her great~grandchildren – Dylan England, Kaleb Michael Viray, Brennan Michael Viray, Jaxon Michael Viray, Eva Monroe Viray, Maddox Alexander Viray, Asher Phoenix Viray, and soon to arrive~Baby Mora Corpus; her sister~in-law Olivia Villa~Real Jacobsen, brother~in~law Carl Jacobsen, and their three children Marc Alabanza, Bella Pfefferman, Donna Jacobsen Gray; her cousins Teresita and Lottie, and all their respective families.
Our parents never stopped dating. They acted like teenagers… giddy night owls, dancing, singing, and listening to music loudly, and just living with spontaneity and ease… always going with the natural flow. They navigated life as copilots. They lived each day, completely immersed & fully engaged in the present, and enjoying each precious moment.
Mommy… we thank you for the greatest love you gave, your patience, support, belief, faith, wisdom, kindness, generosity, life lessons you instilled, and the tender seeds you planted! We Love You Beyond Infinity and are Forever Grateful To You!!!
We know that you are finally free to travel and explore with Papa… continuing to leave a trail of Magical Moondust while living your Romantic Love Story amongst the Stars! Until we are with you again… Continue Dancing!!!

You Are Our Miracle!!!

We Love You Mommy MooonCat!!!