Juanita Pamisa Refol

Juanita Pamisa Refol was born on March 9, 1951, in Bobontugan, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines. She celebrated two birthdays: her real birthday on December 9 and another on March 9 due to a legal paper translation. Juanita married her husband, Rogelio Refol, in 1974.

Together, they had five children: Mary Jane, Jocelyn, Julius, Madelyn, and Regina. She was a grandmother to fourteen grandchildren: Lance, Natasha, Warren, Nathalia, Lili, Iynne, Nick, Matt, Steve, Trisha, Zion Andew, Zian Andrei, Princess, and John Patrick, and was also blessed with four great-grandchildren: Shaniah Layne, Shaina Gayle, Prince Gil, and Czarina Mae. Juanita loved spending time alone in her bedroom listening to her records, and some of her favorite artists were Elvis Presley, Victor Wood, and Pilita Corales. Out of all her siblings, she was known as her parents’ precious baby. They rarely let her lift a finger to clean or cook, often telling her and others that one day she would be the one to help the family. As part of her teenage life, she would sometimes skip school to swim at the lake with her friends. She valued nature and being a part of it throughout her life, and even with her allergies, animals seemed to seek her out as she showed love and care for every creature. Juanita was eager to pursue and complete her sewing schooling, which she successfully accomplished. While raising her children, she was also known as a "manghihilot" (a traditional Filipino massage healer) to those in her community. Juanita always had a way of warming the environment she was in; whether it was a smile or just a look, you would always feel better when she was around. Juanita was most proud of her family and loved every single one of them. She also helped raise two of her grandchildren in the Philippines, Lance and Natasha, until her daughter, Jocelyn, was able to bring them to America. Upon arriving in the United States in April of 2008, Juanita and her daughter Jocelyn pursued work in the canneries in Alaska. Juanita worked in the canneries for the next 15 years to support and ensure that her family would one day live together in the United States. During her time away from the canneries, she would return to Washington to spend time with her family. At last, in 2017, Juanita was able to buy a five-acre piece of land in North Ferndale. It was a beautiful place with a fruit orchard and a stream running through it, and she loved it with all her heart, believing it would be perfect for her children and grandchildren when they all came to America. The land had two residences, one newly built and another that needed much work. Juanita and her family spent the following years fixing up the property while sharing many joyful family gatherings there. In June 2024, the first of Jocelyn’s siblings arrived in the United States, Julius and his two children, Iynne and Nick. The following year, their other sibling Madelyn came with her children, Matt, Steve, and Trisha. With dreams nearly fulfilled and only one sibling left to bring to America, Juanita’s goals were almost achieved. Juanita had just retired from work in 2025 and was enjoying time with her family and celebrating their accomplishments. She loved spending time camping and swimming at the river with her family, so much so that every sunny day meant doing something fun together. Believe it or not, Juanita loved the wintertime as well. She enjoyed bundling up in warm clothes and watching the children play in the snow. Juanita also had a funny sense of humor; if she didn’t like what you were doing, she would simply make a funny face or stare at you, although she would never really get mad. She believed food was one of the most important things in life and always made sure that no one around her went hungry. Juanita valued her faith in the Lord and believed that one day she would be reunited with her oldest daughter, as well as her beloved parents, Zosimo and Pacencia. She often shared that her parents would visit her in her dreams, gently telling her that when the time came, it would be time for her to rest. Juanita lived a fulfilled life of love and happiness alongside her family. She was the heart and soul of the family, a spirit she instilled deeply into all of her children and grandchildren. For a 74-year-old retired woman, there was never a lonely day and never a day without something to do, which reflected the way she loved her family and embraced life. Today, we find comfort in knowing that she is no longer in pain and is now in the loving arms of the parents she missed so dearly and the child she lost, resting peacefully with them in Heaven in the presence of God. Juanita’s greatest wish was that the family she loved so deeply would remain united, always supporting one another with love, empathy, and strength no matter what challenges life may bring. Her memory will continue to live on through the family she devoted her life to. In honor of Juanita’s love for her family, we leave these words that reflect her greatest wish: “One day, I won’t be here to keep our family connected. When that day comes, promise me this: choose each other on purpose. Stay close, even when life pulls you in different directions. Protect one another, check in often, and show up when it matters most. That’s the legacy I hope my love leaves behind.”