Dionicia Montano Arocan

February 5, 1928 - January 29, 2022

Dionicia Montano Arocan passed away peacefully on January 29, 2022 at the age 93 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California with her eldest daughter at her bedside. Dionicia was born in Ilocos Norte on February 5, 1928 to Zacarias Montano and his wife Pelagia Pascua. With six siblings and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, she grew up surrounded by loved ones. Dionicia’s beautiful smile won over the late Provo Arocan, and in 1948, they were married. In 1949 they welcomed their first child, Aurora. Five years later they had their second daughter Delia. In 1964, Dionicia and her two young daughters emigrated from the Philippines to join Provo in Hawaii. A year later their son Richard was born. After years of Dionicia and Provo working two jobs each, they were able to proudly purchase a home in Kalihi to live closer to work. Their family grew once more when they adopted their niece Imee Quilon. Dionicia worked in food preparation as a pantry person at Canlis Restaurant, Wailana Restaurant, Sheraton and Hale Koa, from which she retired in 1995. After retiring, Dionicia regularly traveled to visit family in the Philippines. She was very sociable and during her conversation with someone she would find connections with that person through relatives and friends. She enjoyed gardening, loved music, singing, and ballroom dancing with her husband. Dionicia was active at St. Anthony Church in Kalihi and was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. She was also a doting grandmother who imparted a memory of pancit and other Filipino foods to her grandchildren, and regularly attended their performances and activities. She is survived by four children: Aurora (Harold) Karp, Delia (Harvey) Nakano, Richard, Imee; and 2 grandchildren: Alicia (Scott) Suzuki, Brent (Crystal) Nakano.