Mildred V. Durano

Mildred V. Durano, 87, of Ellensburg, passed away peacefully at home on August 24, 2022, in the presence of her family and close friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, 401 S. Willow Street in Ellensburg.

Mildred was born on May 24, 1935 in the city of Bago, Negros Occidental, Philippines. She was raised by her parents Encarnacion (Espinoza) and Ricardo Villaneuva along with her six siblings. She attended nursing school, graduating in 1958 as a Registered Nurse. She worked in a local hospital in Danao, Cebu where she later became Chief Nurse. While working there she met Dr. Sancho Derecho Durano whom she married in 1960. Mildred and Sancho had six children- Ariel (“Boboy”), Sheila (“Bebe”), Sister Ann Marie (“Inday”), Giles, Andrew (“Andre”), and Genevieve (“Gerlie”).

In 1972, Mildred and Sancho moved to the United States. Mildred acquired a working visa and worked in Virginia Hospital as an RN. In the mid 80’s she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and then worked in Elizabeth Hospital in New Jersey, followed by employment at Rancho Los Amigos Rehab Hospital in Downey, California. Eventually, Mildred and Sancho moved to Washington state, first living in the Tacoma area and then settling in Royal City. They ran a rural family practice clinic in Royal City for over 10 years until Sancho Durano, MD retired. Mildred continued working as an RN in long term care in Soap Lake and then Ellensburg for several years before her retirement in 2012.

Mildred took pleasure in cooking traditional Filipino foods for multiple large gatherings of friends and family. These most always included karaoke and late-night mahjong games. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, many friends, and closest sister, Colong.

Mildred was preceded in death by her husband Sancho in 2007; her parents Encarnacion and Ricardo as well as her brothers Ramon, Ruldolfo and Jose Rustom.

Mildred is survived by her children Boboy of Ellensburg and his children Joshua and Ashley of Missouri; Bebe (Sam) Camitan and their children Jonathan and Cristina of San Diego; Sister Ann Marie of Missionaries of Charity, California; Giles (Ronda) and their children Shaun, Samantha, and Sierra of Buckley, Washington; Andrew of Phoenix, Arizona; and Gerlie (Bamous) Whigham and their children Jonathan and Nicole of Jackson, Mississippi. Mildred recently loved meeting her first great-grandchild, Evan Daniel Durano born in April, son of Samantha Durano. She is also survived by sister Adelia (Colong) Pitcher of Ellensburg and sisters Nelly Villaneuva Celie and Elouisa Derecho of the Philippines. In addition, Mildred is survived by her ever so loyal Filipino friends, considered family, in Ellensburg and surrounding communities.

Johnston & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg has been entrusted with caring for Mrs. Durano and her family.  Online condolences may be left at www.johnston-williams.com