Pacita Birkenstock
September 20, 1918 ~ May 8, 2020
Pacita (“Pat”) Birkenstock passed away peacefully at her Ashburn, VA senior living home on May 8, 2020 at 101 years of age. She was a proud centenarian, a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.
Pacita will always be remembered for her elegance, beauty, charm, impeccable taste, generosity and love of animals, but mostly her immense love and dedication to her family. She never let a special occasion pass without making a delicious meal that would always be served on her finest china or sending a birthday card with personal note and gift. She made every gathering of family and friends a special event – the food and décor all marked by her signature perfectionism as every detail indicated how much she cared.
Pacita was born in the Philippines in 1918 and during her long life, she experienced the impact of major historical events, some remarkably close and personal, some extremely uplifting, and some very tragic in nature. She lived through the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, the Great Depression, World War II Battle of Manila, Korean War, Vietnam Conflict, the 9-11 attack, the 2008 Great Recession, and now the Coronavirus pandemic. In the end it was her battle with COVID-19 that brought her life to an end.
The highs and lows of her life shaped Pacita’s character: warm, unassuming, quiet and always loving. Her beauty, Filipino charm and adherence to traditional customs won the hearts of judges in a local beauty pageant, where she won the title of Miss Pagsanjan Falls. Those joyous days would soon be shattered, as the winds of World War II blew across her country. She was widowed at a young age when her first husband, Celine Ramirez was taken prisoner by occupying Japanese forces. Family members believed he died in prison, just days before General McArthur landed on Manila beach.
During WWII, Pacita experienced the deaths of her first husband Celine, family members, and friends during the Japanese occupation of her birthplace. Meanwhile, Arnold Birkenstock, who would later become her second husband, was a U.S. Air Force airman fighting the Japanese in other battles in the Pacific Theater of War. Arnold eventually became part of the military campaign to liberate the Philippines.
In 1948, Pacita and her two small sons, Norman and Jesse, left their homeland with Arnold who was then a US Air Force Senior Master Sergeant. That second marriage brought her lasting joy and happiness. They traveled the world together on various military assignments. Arnold’s assignments included Novato, CA; St. John’s, Newfoundland; Landsberg, Germany; and Roswell, NM. She called San Rafael, CA home for 53 years before relocating to Colorado Springs, CO and then to Ashburn, VA. Their family enjoyed traveling domestically and internationally, always visiting local attractions, learning new customs and traditions, and making new friends. Sadly, in October 1991, Pacita lost the love of her life, Arnold, to lung cancer.
Pacita enjoyed many things in life especially cooking, entertaining and hosting family gatherings. Her hobbies included watching movies (especially westerns, action-packed police and war films), bird watching and arts and crafts. She had a classic and elegant sense of style and demeanor which often reflected the many cultural influences she experienced in her life. She maintained a strong moral character in her personal and professional life. Pacita became an exceptionally talented and dedicated employee as an assistant to the Army Judge Advocate Corps at the Presidio in San Francisco and as assistant to the head of USAF Chaplin Office, San Francisco. She also worked at the Officers Club at Hamilton AFB, and in her youth, at the YMCA in Manila, Philippines. Despite all of the roles and interests Pacita had over her many years, nothing was more important to her than her love and devotion to her family.
Although the Coronavirus kept Pacita’s family from physically visiting her in her final days, it was modern technology that connected love ones to her remotely 24/7. During their last hours with Pacita, her entire family recalled stories and shared tales of their cherished moments with her. The familiar voices uplifted her spirit. It was clear that her religious upbringing fortified her beliefs right to the end. Like a mythical spirit, those memories revealed the strength and character of the person that Pacita had become. It was obvious to all, that her loving legacy will shape the family’s character forever.
Pacita is survived by her beloved family including her two sons and their spouses: Norman & Wanee Birkenstock and Jesse & Linda Birkenstock, her six grandchildren and their spouses: Pacita Michelle (Pacita’s namesake) Birkenstock, Stacy Birkenstock & Bill Fitzgibbons, Andy Birkenstock, Shanna & Anthony Crossetti, Danielle Birkenstock Anthony & Keith Anthony, Kara Birkenstock & Richard Alderman; and four great-grandchildren - Lillian (nicknamed “Princess” by Pacita) Fitzgibbons, Johnny Crossetti, Jurnie Anthony and Athena Alderman.
She was preceded in death by her parents Daniel Zalameda and Guadalupe Zaide Zalameda; her nine siblings - Jose, Pedro, Veronica, Julio, Elmer, Magdalena, Maria, Jesus, Elena; and by her two husbands - Marcelino (“Celine”) Ramirez (1st) and Arnold Birkenstock (2nd).
The Birkenstock Family invite friends and family of Pacita to attend a virtual Celebration of Life on Friday, May, 22, 2020 at 11am EST.
Please join the memorial service on Zoom.com:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8930608177
Meeting ID: 893 060 8177
+1-646-558-8656
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Pacita's honor may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or COVID-19 research groups.
Pacita will always be remembered for her elegance, beauty, charm, impeccable taste, generosity and love of animals, but mostly her immense love and dedication to her family. She never let a special occasion pass without making a delicious meal that would always be served on her finest china or sending a birthday card with personal note and gift. She made every gathering of family and friends a special event – the food and décor all marked by her signature perfectionism as every detail indicated how much she cared.
Pacita was born in the Philippines in 1918 and during her long life, she experienced the impact of major historical events, some remarkably close and personal, some extremely uplifting, and some very tragic in nature. She lived through the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, the Great Depression, World War II Battle of Manila, Korean War, Vietnam Conflict, the 9-11 attack, the 2008 Great Recession, and now the Coronavirus pandemic. In the end it was her battle with COVID-19 that brought her life to an end.
The highs and lows of her life shaped Pacita’s character: warm, unassuming, quiet and always loving. Her beauty, Filipino charm and adherence to traditional customs won the hearts of judges in a local beauty pageant, where she won the title of Miss Pagsanjan Falls. Those joyous days would soon be shattered, as the winds of World War II blew across her country. She was widowed at a young age when her first husband, Celine Ramirez was taken prisoner by occupying Japanese forces. Family members believed he died in prison, just days before General McArthur landed on Manila beach.
During WWII, Pacita experienced the deaths of her first husband Celine, family members, and friends during the Japanese occupation of her birthplace. Meanwhile, Arnold Birkenstock, who would later become her second husband, was a U.S. Air Force airman fighting the Japanese in other battles in the Pacific Theater of War. Arnold eventually became part of the military campaign to liberate the Philippines.
In 1948, Pacita and her two small sons, Norman and Jesse, left their homeland with Arnold who was then a US Air Force Senior Master Sergeant. That second marriage brought her lasting joy and happiness. They traveled the world together on various military assignments. Arnold’s assignments included Novato, CA; St. John’s, Newfoundland; Landsberg, Germany; and Roswell, NM. She called San Rafael, CA home for 53 years before relocating to Colorado Springs, CO and then to Ashburn, VA. Their family enjoyed traveling domestically and internationally, always visiting local attractions, learning new customs and traditions, and making new friends. Sadly, in October 1991, Pacita lost the love of her life, Arnold, to lung cancer.
Pacita enjoyed many things in life especially cooking, entertaining and hosting family gatherings. Her hobbies included watching movies (especially westerns, action-packed police and war films), bird watching and arts and crafts. She had a classic and elegant sense of style and demeanor which often reflected the many cultural influences she experienced in her life. She maintained a strong moral character in her personal and professional life. Pacita became an exceptionally talented and dedicated employee as an assistant to the Army Judge Advocate Corps at the Presidio in San Francisco and as assistant to the head of USAF Chaplin Office, San Francisco. She also worked at the Officers Club at Hamilton AFB, and in her youth, at the YMCA in Manila, Philippines. Despite all of the roles and interests Pacita had over her many years, nothing was more important to her than her love and devotion to her family.
Although the Coronavirus kept Pacita’s family from physically visiting her in her final days, it was modern technology that connected love ones to her remotely 24/7. During their last hours with Pacita, her entire family recalled stories and shared tales of their cherished moments with her. The familiar voices uplifted her spirit. It was clear that her religious upbringing fortified her beliefs right to the end. Like a mythical spirit, those memories revealed the strength and character of the person that Pacita had become. It was obvious to all, that her loving legacy will shape the family’s character forever.
Pacita is survived by her beloved family including her two sons and their spouses: Norman & Wanee Birkenstock and Jesse & Linda Birkenstock, her six grandchildren and their spouses: Pacita Michelle (Pacita’s namesake) Birkenstock, Stacy Birkenstock & Bill Fitzgibbons, Andy Birkenstock, Shanna & Anthony Crossetti, Danielle Birkenstock Anthony & Keith Anthony, Kara Birkenstock & Richard Alderman; and four great-grandchildren - Lillian (nicknamed “Princess” by Pacita) Fitzgibbons, Johnny Crossetti, Jurnie Anthony and Athena Alderman.
She was preceded in death by her parents Daniel Zalameda and Guadalupe Zaide Zalameda; her nine siblings - Jose, Pedro, Veronica, Julio, Elmer, Magdalena, Maria, Jesus, Elena; and by her two husbands - Marcelino (“Celine”) Ramirez (1st) and Arnold Birkenstock (2nd).
The Birkenstock Family invite friends and family of Pacita to attend a virtual Celebration of Life on Friday, May, 22, 2020 at 11am EST.
Please join the memorial service on Zoom.com:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8930608177
Meeting ID: 893 060 8177
+1-646-558-8656
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Pacita's honor may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or COVID-19 research groups.
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