Born May 18, 1954 in Piddig, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, Adoracion Agustin (fondly known as Adora, Ador or Adoring) always had a zest for life.   She was devoted to her family, friends and community.  Survived by her daughters Irene Ann, 42, and Leah Grace, 39, and grandchildren, Joleyann, 12, and Camille, 5, she wanted nothing more than healthy, happy children and grandchildren.  

Adora was always a natural care giver.  One could only imagine how devastated she was when her father informed her that he did not have enough money to send her to nursing school.  Adora cried for three days straight until her father dragged her to the local university and enrolled her to get a degree in agriculture.  

Little did Adora know, that the love of her life lived in her hometown.  She had many suitors. Beautiful but shy, it wasn't until Norma Agustin, a local teacher, introduced Adora to her younger brother, Irineo (also known as Jun).  Jun was 8 1/2 years older than she was, but she loved how handsome and tall he was.  

Before joining the US Marine Corps, Adora and Jun married.  Jun was shipped out and in 1976, they were reunited when he was deployed to Camp LeJune in North Carolina. In 1977, they decided to head west after Jun separated from USMC.  They intended to settle in California, but a very pregnant Adora, decided she didn't want to travel any further.  A snowstorm had them stranded in St. Louis and they decided to stay.  

On May 22, 1978, their oldest child, Irene Ann, was born. Then two years later on December 11th came Leah Grace.  She raised two kids and worked nights in the Pulmonary Department at Saint Louis University Hospital.  Adora never gave up on her dream to become a nurse and went back to school.  In 1995, Adora finished her nursing program.  She ultimately landed a job at the VA as a nurse working in the intensive care unit. 

Adora was dedicated to nursing and helped so many people.  Sadly, her career was cut short due to a brain tumor that forced her into early retirement.  Adora underwent two craniotomies and radiation. Jun was by her side to take care of her and nursed her back to health.  They enjoyed retirement by traveling the world. In 2008, they welcomed their first grandchild, Joleyann, and loved being grandparents.  

In 2012, Jun was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma and underwent surgery to remove the tumor.  The day he was to be discharged, he aspirated, coded and our lives were forever changed.  With a very bleak prognosis, Jun was put on hospice care.

Adora was determined to care for him and comfort him in his final days.  She loved him so much and was by his side until the day he died.  Originally, doctors thought Jun would only live a week, but he lived a year, just over one month after his youngest grandchild, Camille, was born.

Life without Jun took adjustment, but Adora focused her attention on her grandchildren.  She also took time to travel out-of-the country and visited places like China, Italy and Greece with her closest friends.  

In 2017, her doctor discovered that the brain tumor came back.  She underwent a third craniotomy and sadly had a stroke that caused paralysis on the left side of her body and memory loss.  

Regardless of what was going on in her life, Adora remained positive and happy.  She went to live with her cousin, Beth, who was able to provide the supervision she needed and together they lived life to the fullest.  They enjoyed dancing and drinks at the Ritz-Carlton to celebrate birthdays. They took trips together and went to Mexico and Wisconsin with the Christian For Life group.  Beth and Irene, took Adora back home to the Philippines in September 2019 which was her last trip before doctors discovered her tumor grew back again and more aggressively.  

Sadly, this all took a toll on her body and was placed in hospice in her final days.  Adora passed on May 19, 2020, an hour after her 66th birthday at Evelyn’s House in St. Louis, Missouri.  Her daughters, Leah and Irene, were by her side and she did not pass alone.

Adora was loved by so many.  She has left a lasting impression on anyone who was blessed to know her and her memory will live on in her children and grandchildren.