Emerita "Merit" Fagtanac

Celebrating the life of Emerita Castro Fagtanac Emerita died peacefully early morning of Sunday, February 8th 2015 at her home in IRMO, SC.She was blessed for many prior days to be surrounded by the presence of her husband, children, grandchildren her sister and friends. Emerita was born in Dumalag, Capiz, Phillipines on August 30, 1936.Daughter of Adolfo and Gertrudes Florino, 3rd of 6 siblings. Emerita graduated in 1958 from San Agustin University, Iloilo with a B.S. degree in Chemistry.After passing her boards, she worked as chief chemist at Astorias Sugar Central, Capiz for a year.She then worked at the Bureau of Plant Industry in Manila for 3 years.In 1963, both Emerita and her husband, Juan, took advantage of the opportunity to come to the United States through the professional exchange visitor VISA program, where she worked as clinical research chemist at the Children’s Memorial Hospital at Ohio State University, IL specializing in children’s diseases, like phenylketonuria.In 1965, she married to Dr. Juan Fagtanac in Chicago, IL.They then had their first child / daughter, Jeanette in Chicago. In 1969, they returned to the Philippines, taking up residence at Iloilo city, where they had their 2nd daughter, Lovelle in 1971 and then returned the USA in 1972, where their son, Steven was born in West Virginia.Shortly after Steven’s birth they moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where after a few years they eventually settled in Columbia, S.C. where they have resided since.For many years after Emerita spent her days raising the children.Then in the 1980’s Emerita began part-time work as a Pharmacy Assistant.Later as the kids got older, she then obtained a Realtor License and worked as an agent, showing and selling houses for several years before retirement. In Early 2005, Emerita was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a progressive degenerative disease where she fought against the decline for many years at home under the close care of her husband, children and caretakers. Emerita is survived by her husband, Dr. Fagtanac, three children, Jeanette, Lovelle, and Steven and six grandchildren, Dalton, Tyler, Jessica, Nicole, Garrett and Kataleya.Her sister, Nellie Espos and brother, Nonilo Castro both reside in California with their families. She was preceded by three brothers Miguel Castro, Dario Castro, and Mariano Castro. Emerita was a kind, caring, loving and spiritual wife, mother and grandmother.She was very active member of her church, volunteering as a Eucharistic minister taking communion to those that could not attend mass.She loved to cook and felt it necessary to feed anyone that came to her home.Emerita also loved to play mahjong with her friends and slot machines in the casinos.She was beloved by her many friends and family and will be truly missed. We celebrate Mom's life as someone who always smiled, loved, and was filled with the spirit of God to give of herself to others in need.She will be watching over us, Dad and the children each and day of our lives. Emerita believed in angels and will now be a heavenly angel watching over all she loves.She will live in our hearts forever.May she eternally rest in peace. The family would like to especially thank all of her wonderful caregivers throughout the years for their loving care and dedication to watching over Merit.