Rosario Ocampo

(Durham) – Rosario Ocampo, age (87), died in Raleigh, NC on September 12, 2022. She was born on November 17, 1934, to the late Juan and Soterania Moralina.

Rosario was born in Damilisan, Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines. She graduated from Miagao High School, then attended FEATI University in Manila, Philippines where she received her degree in Business Administration. While in college, she met her husband Santos and married in 1962. They spent a few years working in Vietnam, returned home, then immigrated with their young family to the United States to pursue a better life. They first arrived in Los Angeles, CA, moved to Manassas, VA, and finally settled in Durham, NC.

Rosario’s employment included Bank of America, Liggett Myers, and Nortel. She was a sharp businesswoman with a strong work ethic which led her to additional ventures as running a bakery, real estate investment and eventually becoming a successful realtor. She helped many families settle in the Triangle area both during her time at Nortel and after her retirement.

Rosario was an advocate and example of success through education. In addition to earning her college degree, she pursued business classes offered by her employers and at Durham Tech, and then obtained her real estate license. In turn, Rosario and Santos provided educational funding for many relatives who had the drive to improve their own circumstances.

Rosario was a beloved member of the Philippine-American Association of North Carolina (PAANC) where she served as a board member and was a dedicated volunteer at many cultural and charitable events for many years. With the Philippine community in the Triangle, she was one of the original members of the Flores de Mayo prayer group. And she volunteered in several medical missions throughout the Philippines with the Carolina Medical Mission.

Rosario loved gardening, sewing, spending time with family and friends, singing, and playing the piano. She possessed a sharp intellect, immense inner strength, and strong moral integrity, enriching the lives of all whom she met with her words of wisdom and acts of kindness. She leaves a lasting legacy of dedication to all those she knew, and of service and charity to those in need.

Rosario was preceded in death by husband Santos and is survived by her sons Edwin (and wife Avelita) and Joel, grandchildren Arielle, Andrew (and wife Megan), and Tim, and great granddaughter Sophia Rose. She is survived by her brother Jose (Joe) Moralina. She was preceded in death by her siblings Flora, Lucas, Virginia, Milagros, and Nicholas.

Visitation and wake will be held at Hall-Wynne funeral home from on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, from 6-8 PM. The following day, Thursday, September 22, the remembrance Mass will be conducted at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 11AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Carolina Medical Mission. https://www.carolinamedicalmission.com/donate

The Ocampo family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.