Blanca Sagles, SP
August 26, 1948 - February 1, 2017
Obituary
BLANCA SAGLES, SP
(Sister Blanca Sagles)
Sister Blanca Sagles, age 68, a Sister of Providence for 20 years, died February 1, 2017, at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, WA. Vigil Service: Friday, February 10, 2017, at 6:30 PM, and Funeral Mass: Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 11:00 AM, both at St. Joseph Residence, 4800 37th Avenue SW, Seattle. Burial at Calvary Cemetery, Seattle, follows Mass and reception. Bonney-Watson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Blanca Lucena was born August 26, 1948 to Vuan Sagles and Gloria Lucena, in Artacho St. Lingayen, Pangasinan, Philippines, and was the eldest of seven siblings. Blanca grew up in the Philippines and attended the University of the East in Manila earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in accounting in 1969. In 1970 she emigrated to Toronto, Canada, where she attained residency, then Canadian citizenship, while working as an accountant for eight years.
In 1978 Blanca moved to Los Angeles, California and continued her career as an accountant for 16 years until 1994. During this time Blanca was a member of St. Kevin Parish in Los Angeles as the catechism coordinator for children and adults in preparation for first communion; she also served on the parish’s finance committee and was the bookkeeper.
In August 1994 Blanca entered as a candidate with the Sisters of Providence. She continued to work full-time while she lived in Burbank with the Sisters, learning about community life and history. Then she moved to Yakima, Washington for another year of candidacy where she volunteered at St. Joseph parish and school, and learned more about the ministries of the religious community. She became a novice in August 1996, professed first vows in August 1998 and final vows in August 2001.
When she became a novice, Blanca moved to Spokane where she attended Gonzaga University in Spokane to study Theology, and volunteered in outreach ministry at the Women’s Drop-In Center; from 1997-2000 she taught religious education and was the mission integration coordinator at St. Joseph Marquette School, Yakima; from 2001-2003 she was the Director of Housing at Emilie House; and bookkeeper at St. Agatha Church, Portland, Oregon; from 2004-2006 attended Marylhurst University in Oregon where she received her Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) certification. From 2006-2009 she returned to Washington and served as Pastoral Assistant at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Burien. In 2009 Sr. Blanca returned to Burbank as a Chaplain at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center until December 2016. In April 2012 Blanca received her U.S. Citizenship.
Some hobbies Sr. Blanca enjoyed were playing tennis, cooking, making beautiful floral arrangements, a passion for poetry, and sharing cherished time with family, friends and her sisters in community. Her favorite poem was ‘Auguries of Innocence’ by William Blake which best described her beliefs and convictions.
Sr. Blanca is preceded in death by her parents and brothers Emmanuel Sagles and Manuel Sagles. She is survived by her brother, Virgilio Sagles (Demi), Camarillo, CA; and sisters, Zenaida Soriano, Chicago, IL; Angeles Pagulayan, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; Wilma Dusaban (Isidro), Los Angeles, CA; sister-in-law, Dulce Sagles, Philippines; and nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, #9016, Renton, WA 98057-9016.
To view Sr. Blanca’s obituary and picture and to sign her memory book, please visit the website for Bonney-Watson Funeral Home at www.bonneywatson.com.
So sad to hear of Sr. Blanca passing
She was so full of life , I know she will be missed by all who knew her.
Rest in Peace
So sorry to her of Sister Blanca’s passing. She was a calming and welcoming presence to me when I was teaching at St. Joe’s in Yakima. RIP.
Love and prayers,
Karen Monaghan
so sorry for your loss
I am so sorry to hear about Sister Blanca. I was on vacation when she passed away. I worked with sister when she was the Pastoral asst for faith formation at St Francis in Seahurst. We had many good times and I was sad when she left. I will always remember her caring and loving nature. May you find peace that she is with the Lord.
God bless
Pauline March 21,2017