Obituary of Adalberta Deguzman

On the afternoon of October 5, 2015, Beth passed away after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; while being comforted by family members at Memorial Medical Hospital Center in Jacksonville, Florida at the time of her passing. Beth was 81 years old.

Beth was born in the Philippines, in the town of Camiling and the province of Tarlac on April 23, 1934. She was the daughter of Paulina Clemente and Saturino Bacolor, the youngest sister of Florence (Puring) Bacolor Jones.

As a child, Beth battled sickness. However, she worked hard to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Education. She enjoyed teaching Pilipino to public school students in the provinces of the Philippines.

Beth immigrated to Jacksonville, Florida in 1995. After a couple of years of writing pen-pal letters, Beth and Rudy De Guzman married at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church surrounded by family and friends. She fell in love with his thoughtfulness and caring nature as he always brought her fresh vegetables from his home garden.

She loved delicious Filipino food, and singing Tagalog and Illocano karaoke with her sister and family. Beth enjoyed traveling to new places, including Rome, Medjugorje, Spain, France, Hawaii, Alaska, Tennessee and the Caribbean Islands, and visiting family in Pennsylvania, New York and Orlando. She was deeply religious and quick to forgive. She will be remembered for her generosity, light-hearted spirit and contagious laugh.

Beth enjoyed the simple things in life, like spending quality time with family. She was not a woman of many words, but her spirit brought out the warmth and happiness in people. Her family remembers when she would sometimes ask funny questions, and make them laugh so much that "our stomachs hurt." Any time Beth got the idea that a family member or friend needed something, she always offered and insisted "I'll get it for you," never taking no for an answer.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her four brothers.

Beth is survived by her sister, Florence; her niece, Evangeline; and a large number of grandnieces, who live throughout the East Coast, and brought her great joy in her later years. She is further survived by other relatives and many friends.

Beth shied away from the camera as she was self conscious of her smile but her laughter will always be remembered. Her happy spirit will live on through her family.

A vigil will be held on the 13th of October from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Arlington Funeral Home Chapel at 6920 Lone Star Road. A mass in honor of Beth will be held on the 14th of October at 10:00 am at Assumption Catholic Church at 2403 Atlantic Boulevard, with an internment following the mass at 12:15 pm at Arlington Funeral Home Chapel.