Pilar Basbas Villanueva Quintero
October 22, 1922 - November 20, 2021
Obituary
Pilar Basbas Villanueva Quintero was born on October 12, 1922, in San Jose Nueva Ceja, Philippines. She was one of twelve children. At the age of nine, her family moved to Mindanao.
After graduating from high school, she worked at her Auntie’s coffee shop serving US soldiers, many of whom were members of the Filipino Infantry. One in particular was her future husband, Angel Quintero. After his discharge from the Army, Angel returned to the Philippines in January 1947. Pilar and Angel were married on March 6, 1947.
In December 1947, Angel returned to the United States. The US offered more opportunities for him to support his now pregnant wife and raise a family. He could apply for her visa and save enough money pay for her trip to the US. In May 1950, Pilar and their daughter, Angeles, arrived in San Francisco.
It did not take long for Pilar to meet and interact with other Pinays through social events. Over the next several years, she was able to fulfill a childhood dream “to serve the people.” She did so by joining various nonprofit organizations and actively assisting with fund raisers to chairing various activities. She was one of the original members of the Filipino Community Center (FCC) and was instrumental in helping raise funds to build the community center located in South Seattle. Pilar was also an active FCC Council member. To ensure her children and foster children were exposed to and took pride in their Filipino culture, she made certain they joined the Filipino Youth Activities of Seattle (FYA) and participated in folk dancing, choir, and drill team. She volunteered her time and shared her cultural knowledge with the FYA whenever needed. Pilar was also a long-time member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 6599. From 1975-1976, Pilar held the position of President for the Local Chapter. Her enthusiasm did not stop there. As a member of the Legionario Del Trabajo, she chaired various activities and for a term served as its treasurer. These are only a few of the many organizations Pilar was a member of.
Pilar was not only known for generously volunteering her services, but also as one of the first Pinay business owners in Seattle. In 1957, Pilar enrolled in Cosmetology School at Seattle Central College, attending evening classes part-time. During the day she would look after their three daughters (Angie, Patti, and Adeline) and three foster children Joey Malloy, Peter Castro, and Rachel (Deems) Brown. After 2½ years, she graduated and applied to quite a few beauty salons. After several interviews, Pilar was eventually hired at Kut N’ Kurl Beauty Salon in Beacon Hill. In 1970, the beauty salon owner retired and Pilar took ownership of the business. Pilar ran a successful beauty salon from 1970 to mid-80s. According to her customers, Pilar provided excellent service. Her regular clients were saddened when she retired.
Pilar had said that her ambition growing up was “to be able to serve the public – to make people happy.” During her lifetime she fulfilled her ambition.
Pilar is survived by her daughters: Angeles “Angie” Flores and Patricia “Patti” (David Johnson) Quintero; foster children Peter Castro and Rachel Brown; grandchildren and their spouses: Shawna (Will) Cravens, Claudine “Dina” (Steve) Newsom, Marisa (Anthony) Harvey, Paul Young, Adrian (Jelyn) Young, and Simeon S. (Heidi) Young; great-grandchildren: Nathan Newsom, Marius and Makai Harvey, Miguel Floresca Cravens, Simeon and Carter Young, Jaden and Adelyn Young, Darius Young, Tiara Prater, and Masijah, Mya, and Elijia Daniels; great-great grandchildren: Leo and Oliver Young, devoted cat Punky; and many other relatives and friends.
She now joins her husband, Angel Quintero; daughter, Adeline Quintero Young; parents, Simeon and Benita Villanueva, her siblings, and son-in-law, Roy Flores.
The family extends their deep gratitude to Valleyview Adult Family Home for their love and care of our mom these past 2 years.