With profound sadness we announce the passing of Amparo "Ampy" Velasco Bisnar, RN, BSN, MSN, a loyal and loving wife, devoted mother of eight, generous and caring grandmother, supportive eldest daughter, dependable eldest sister, compassionate and hard working nurse, a dutiful military officer's wife and friend to all whose lives she touched, on July 8, 2020. She left us with family by her side and on Face Time amid the Covid-19 pandemic. She was in her 82nd year.

Ampy was born to the late Silvino Lirio Velasco and Maria Garcia Plete, on January 14, 1938, at Balele, Tanauan, Batangas. She attended Balele Elementary School and high school at Tanauan Institute. She was then given a scholarship at the Philippine General Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1960. She was honored to be the very first female Registered Nurse in their town. As a young nurse, she took a job at the Lipa City District Hospital in Granja where she met her husband, the late B/Gen. Aniceto A. Bisnar, Sr. (Philippine Air Force). She had a great sense of family values and nationalism, which made her stay in the Philippines instead of migrating to the U.S.A. She persevered to finish her Master of Science in Nursing at P.W.U. to further her career in administration. She was a strong woman who juggled her full-time job, pursued higher education, cared for and disciplined her seven children, available to her parents and siblings, and diligently performed the tasks required of a military officer’s wife. She later got promoted to Chief Nurse at the Laurel Memorial Hospital in Tanauan, Batangas, and also worked as a professor at the Lipa City Colleges. She later took up the job at the City Hall of Lipa City, Batangas to be much closer to home. Upon retirement, she enjoyed life with her beloved husband until he passed away on November 6, 1998. Life after that was never the same without her “best partner, friend, brother and advisor.” (Quoted from her letter to her daughter, 8/3/2003).

Ampy was most proud of her eight children: Hilario (sadly born & died 1/16/1963, two days after her 25th birthday), Jun, Arnie, Amily, Angie, Ato, Chito and Bodect; all her beloved in-laws Ofel, Neng, Ian, Arnel, Ann, Jhoe, and Estee; and grandchildren: JC, Janine, Jasper, AJ, Aaron, Jessica, Jade, Danielle, Francesca, David, Irwin, Ivan, Izabelle, RK, Rachelle, Jasmin, Nico, EJ, Brian and Brandon. She will be missed by her surviving siblings: Troy, Eusie, Nhel, Chemeng, Belen and Gil. Also praying for her are all her numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, the oldest surviving paternal relative- her Aunt Luding and other relatives.

Ampy led an extraordinary life with numerous sacrifices and blessings. It will take several pages to enumerate everything, so an attempt to summarize will be tried here. Aside from being a full time nurse, busy wife and mother, Ampy had great motivation and talent in trying different businesses and investments. Successful or not, she kept on trying so she can save for the future. She loved taking photos and collecting memorabilias that her house is full of memories. She also loved home improvement projects which kept her going into her 80's. She had an amazing "green thumb" which she inherited from her parents. When we were young, she chopped off all "male plants" in our backyard, we really haven't figured out how she could tell. Up to the age of 82, she tended to her garden with love and care, she said that her garden kept her active everyday. For recreation, she loved watching her "teleseryes," so we tried not to call her on certain blocked hours of the day. She was an amazing haggler and bargain-hunter that she reduced all salesladies to tears. She always managed to get the goods at the lowest prices. She loved to lecture and gave good advice- so we made sure we listened well for hours...and hours. Yes, she loved to talk but it's full of her life stories and good moral principles. We truly learned a lot from her as others did, too.

Ampy  was a loyal and devoted wife who refused to get petitioned to the U.S.A. She does not want to leave her house full of memories of her husband, children and grandchildren. As a mother, she worked hard along with her husband to send all seven children to good schools. Good education, discipline and being successful in each chosen career  were very important to them. As a grandmother, she was selfless, loving and caring. She even took care of some of her grandchildren at one point and some she put through school.  She was a dependable older sister who helped her family in any way she can especially during their parents' old age and end of life care. She stood as the second mother to her siblings, especially when their mother died in 1998, according to her sister Nhel. Ampy, being a nurse, was obsessed with cleanliness and orderliness, so we were always on our toes. She had very high standards that all the caregivers and house cleaners, who were hired, were all fired on the same day. Lastly, as a nurse, she helped a lot of people who can't afford healthcare. She had a kind heart and compassion that she would get out of her way to help "charity" patients. Many in her hometown still remember the good things she had done for them.

Her favorite sayings were- "good education is the key to success," "honest living or you will not have peace," "work hard and you will reap the rewards," and "save and invest for rainy days, comfortable retirement and travel the world." True to her words, she was able to visit Monterrey, San Diego, Sacramento, Texas, Florida, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea and Bangkok. On June 2, 2020 she said that once it is safe to travel, she'd like a tour of the whole Philippines and enjoy the different resorts and hotels. Throughout the years, all her birthdays and other special occasions were celebrated with her. But for the past four years, she enjoyed the all-expense-paid hotel stays/spa and special birthday celebrations  organized by some of her children. This year, on her 82nd Birthday, she loved the family lunch at Mt. Malarayat Golf & Country Club and her 3-day-pampering at Okada Hotel in Manila while Taal Volcano was erupting. We didn’t know that it would be her last.

Ampy was immensely proud of her family and left behind remarkable memories. She loved her family and instilled in her children strong values that have served them well.  She will be dearly missed and forever be in our hearts and minds.

A very private viewing was held on July 8, 2020 at Funeraria Luisa located at Tanauan, Batangas. A private Mass and eulogies were held on July 12th. The Interment was held on July 13, 2020 at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes' Cemetery) in Taguig, Metro Manila. Most of the family and relatives joined in via Zoom App. A "Celebration of Life" will be held in the Philippines and U.S. next year, in 2021. We truly appreciate all your heartfelt condolences and prayers. Eternal rest grant unto Amparo Velasco Bisnar, RN,BSN,MSN may she rest in peace.