Rebecca A. Occeña Ramirez

Rebecca (Becky) Arlene Occeña Ramirez of Cinnaminson, passed away on August 30, 2023, at the age of 62, with family by her side at the Samaritan Center in Voorhees, NJ. She was born in Davao City, Philippines in 1961 to Samuel Occeña and Necitas Ogan. She graduated valedictorian in grade school at the Light Bringer School and in high school at the Davao City High School. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of the Philippines (U.P.), graduating Cum Laude in 1981. She then obtained a medical degree (M.D.) at the U.P. College of Medicine in 1985 followed by internship and residency in Pediatrics at the U.P. Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) Medical Center. From there, she pursued Fellowship training in Pediatric Gastroenterology at the University of Colorado (1990-1992) and completed General Pediatric residency at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (1992-95). She is certified by the Philippine Board of Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics, and the American Board of Pediatric Gastroenterology. Since then, Becky spent nearly 25 years working as a Pediatric Gastroenterologist in several places internationally (King Fahad National Guard Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 1995-1998; St. Luke's Medical Center and U.P. PGH Manila, Philippines 1998-2004); and, nationally at Nemours – Dupont Childrens Hospital in Wilmington, DE 2007-2022. She was well respected in her field and well loved by her patients and their families. She was voted among the Top Female Doctors in Gastroenterology in the May 2021 and May 2022 issues of the SJ Magazine. Becky enjoyed cooking and baking; she would share Filipino dishes and Filipino bread and pastries to the delight of her neighbors and friends. She also enjoyed traveling around the world and had visited exciting places in Asia, Middle East, Europe, and all over her birth place, the Philippines. She also enjoyed reading and watching her favorite Korean and Chinese telenovelas as well as feel-good movies where she would allow friends and family to witness (and document!) her ebullient laughter. Becky was an exemplary human being - compassionate, kind, generous, loving, and humble. She was always quick to help those in need by contributing to fund-raising projects. Since 2011, she and her husband Dr Carlo established a scholarship fund to support the studies of needy medical students at the UP College of Medicine (through the Mu Sigma Phi Foundation). Her yearly Balikbayan boxes were always something her relatives in the Philippines looked forward to during Christmas time. She was not only an outstanding doctor, but a great wife, mother, sister , aunt, and sister-in-law. Her pursuit of excellence in all her endeavors motivated her siblings to do the same. When her mother died in 2016, she was the glue that kept the family together. Becky is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Dr. Carlo Ramirez, and son, Miguel Ramirez; her siblings Samuel Occeña Jr. (Estela), Jes Occeña, and Debra Occeña-Sablada (Tim). She is also survived by two brothers-in-law and seven sisters-in-law. She was loved by many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors, colleagues, who will miss her dearly. Relatives and friends are invited to gather and celebrate her life on Saturday, September 9, at Givnish Funeral Home at 1200 US-130, Cinnaminson, NJ from 930am to 1030am. This will be followed by a memorial mass at 11:00 am at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church located at 2500 Branch Pike, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077. The memorial mass will be live streamed on the following link:https://www.viewlogies.net/givnish/jc-mDh_96?pin=720703 Inurnment will follow at Lakeview Memorial Park at 1300 US-130 N, Cinnaminson NJ 08077. Finally, everyone is invited to Memorial Lunch at the Merion located at 1301 US-130 Cinnaminson NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Becky may be sent:  By check made out to the MU Sigma Phi Foundation (Attention: The Ramirez Scholarship Fund) mailed to Dr. Godofredo Garcia, 3008 Jameson Drive, Concord, NC 28027;  Through Zelle to mspf1933up@gmail.com. Mu Sigma Phi Foundation is a non-profit organization with a 501(c)3 certificate. Your contribution is tax deductible to the extend allowed by the law. You may share your condolences and fondest memories and fondest memories of Becky by visiting www.Givnish.com.

Tributes

Rebecca A. Occeña Ramirez

March 2, 1961 - August 30, 2023