Preciosisima Bautista Carrera Obituary (1922 - 2020)

Looking back at her wonderful life ... Preciosisima Bautista Carrera passed away peacefully on November 22, 2020 at 10:48 AM at the age of 98 years old . She was born in Caba, La Union, Philippines on March 8, 1922, the youngest daughter of Judge Fabian Bautista and Ysabel Tinio. Presy graduated Valedictorian with a Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila, Philippines in 1941. She passed the Pharmacy Board Exams and was rated in the top 4. At the end of World War II, Presy worked briefly as a pharmacist at the Bethany Hospital in Baguio City, Philippines. During this time, her father funded the construction and establishment of Pangasinan Standard Academy. In order to help her family run their business, she decided to pursue the teaching profession like her other sisters. Years later, she and her young family moved to Quezon City, Philippines. She continued her career as a brilliant educator and was instrumental in the creation of Quezon City Science High School where she taught physics for many years. Beside her teaching responsibilities, she found time to contribute to the growing body of knowledge in the field of science education by writing book chapters in several science textbooks that were used at that time. Subsequently, Presy was appointed to lead the Science Curriculum Division at the Department of Education. Despite her busy career and a hectic family life, she successfully completed her PhD in Education in 1982 at her alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas. Presy decided to migrate to the United States in 1983 where she made Galveston her home. She worked at UTMB's Department of Pharmacy where she retired in 1997. Presy is survived by her four children; Pablito (Lourdes), Johnny (Emmalyn), Rea (Dennis), and Aouie, several grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. Left to cherish her memories are her stepchildren with the late Atty. Juan Carrera; Eduardo Carrera of the Philippines and Edita Carrera Gervacio of Wheaton Illinois. Edita has remained very close to her heart. Presy left a lifelong and faithful friend, Grace Oblena of Sacramento California. They first met during one of their Marian pilgrimages in Europe in 1999. Since then, they have developed this strong bond; constantly talking on the phone, exchanging those beautiful cards during the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries. As they say, "Grace is Presy's sister from another mother". She is preceded in death by her parents Fabian and Ysabel; her husbands Pablo Bersola, Jr. and Atty. Juan R. Carrera; and her siblings Felicidad, Crisogono, Eligia, Diomedes, and Carolina. Presy was a devout Roman Catholic and she went on several pilgrimages to the Marian Shrines in Europe. In 2005, she received a special blessing from Pope John Paul II (St. John Paul) in Rome two days prior to his death. Her generous spirit and pleasant personality endeared her to her numerous friends. Her Catholic life was as beautiful as the flowers she loved and her influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew her. Her family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Joggy George of Baylor/St. Luke's Heart Failure Service and his staff most especially to Heidi and Minnie for their humanity and compassionate care. Dr. Mehdi Razavi (Baylor Electrophysiology Service) who remained very close to her like a family member until the end, Dr. Rajeev Raghavan (Baylor Nephrology Service) and his staff especially Rebecca and Nila for their empathy and compassion, Dr. Sreedhar Mandayam (MD Anderson Nephrology Service) who treated her like his own mother, Dr. Nathan Fowler (MD Anderson Hospital), who took the chance to treat her lymphoma despite her age, thus giving us 12 more years to be with her, Dr. Stephen Pflugfelder (Baylor Eye Clinic), Dr. Peter Chang (Baylor Eye Clinic), Dr. Eugene Aaron (Aaron Family Dentistry) and most especially, last but not least, A Plus Healthcare Services: JoAnn Serafin and her staff Gina, Marilee and Anjean who provided her with compassionate care during her twilight years. We could have not done it without them. Presy's family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 from 11:00am to 12:00Noon at St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica, 2011 Church St., Galveston, TX 77550. The Funeral Mass will follow at 12Noon with Fr. Jude Ezuma as celebrant. Her mortal remains will be cremated and Presy's cremains will be interred at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church Columbarium at Pag-Asa, Quezon City, Philippines at a later date.