Asuncion (Niñez) Ceguerra McConnell

Asuncion (Niñez) Ceguerra McConnell passed away peacefully on May 19, 2026, a few months short of 80, after a brief but courageous battle with metastatic pancreatic cancer, reuniting with her beloved husband Fred, younger brother Napoleon (Nolly), and her many cherished dogs (Yeller, Popcorn, Dink, Pretzel, Julie, Reynolds, Frosty, Fluffy, Blinker, Princess, Boomer, Candy, Sugar and Jackie) who preceded her.

She was born to parents Bernardo V. Ceguerra Sr. and Concepcion Serrano Ceguerra on August 15, 1946, in Libon, Albay, Bicol Region, Philippines. Niñez graduated from Legazpi College High School, following which, she obtained an AB in English from the University of the Philippines (Diliman) in 1967. She married the love of her life, Fred Duane McConnell in Manila, Philippines in 1979. Fred, unfortunately, passed in 2019. Her sisters Amparo, Sylvia, Norma, Petsy and brothers Gernani, Bernardo Jr., Santiago, and Napoleon predeceased her. She is survived by sisters Emmelina Ceguerra of Jacksonville, FL and Rosario (Rose/Baby) Ceguerra Belgado of Lacey, WA; her brother Prospero Ceguerra of Sydney, Australia; stepchildren Bronnie McConnell of Westport, WA and Christopher McConnell of Dublin, CA; as well as grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was entrusted to serve as a Godmother to the children of dear friends and family and was present throughout generations of family milestones.

As a young girl, Niñez loved creating birthday parties. Once she invited some friends to her doll Anastasia’s birthday party. It was an Igorot doll from the Philippine mountain province her late older brother, Bernardo Jr., purchased for her in Baguio. Her late older sister, Norma, was tasked with cooking the party fare, Guinataang Bilo Bilo, a Filipino delicacy of chewy rice balls cooked in coconut milk. These parties were precursors to the memorable celebratory meals she would skillfully and lovingly prepare throughout her life. She was a gracious hostess of legendary warmth. Her home was always immaculate, warm, and welcoming and she held gatherings and holidays with great care and beauty.

In her younger years in the Philippines, Niñez loved to write letters to Gloria Macapagal, the daughter of the late Filipino president, Diosdado Macapagal. She eventually interviewed Ms. Macapagal and wrote an article about her as a high school contributor in the Weekly Graphic, a Manila magazine. Gloria Macapagal eventually became president of the Philippines from 2001 – 2010.

Deeply devoted to her husband Fred, she called him “Freddie” and loved him profoundly, steadfastly caring for him as he navigated the challenges of dementia. Decades before, she also patiently cared for her beloved younger brother Napoleon (Nolly) as he bravely fought colon cancer. She regularly cooked for him and prepared Filipino food, driving over two days to his home in Daly City, California with her culinary bounty and dogs in tow. She eventually moved Nolly to her home in Washington state to care for him in his final weeks.

Niñez received the same unwavering care she offered in life and was never alone in her final days. Her younger sister Rose was by her side every step of the way through the unexpected and precipitously fast and final battle with cancer. Niñez’s nephew, Richard Ernest (Ricky) Ceguerra Belgado (Rose’s son), made sure his aunt and mother had the support and resources they needed through this most trying of times, regularly travelling from the San Francisco Bay Area, and continuing to manage all that follows a loved one's passing. His sister, Mari-Conchita (Maita) Ceguerra Belgado (niece) flew in to offer support and created the Memorial Website. Other nieces, Ermin (Daday) Ceguerra Zabala and Cristina (Maricris) Ceguerra Obieta visited to provide care and comfort. Maricris prepared what would turn out to be her Tita Niñez's final meal (cinnamon sugar instant oatmeal) that Rose dotingly taste tested. Karla Competente Elevado Burdick, daughter of Lori Competente Elevado (Niñez's deceased best friend) was ever present providing invaluable help, including organizing support from Niñez’s church community, the Filipino members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Niñez's church community showed up for her, filling her large living room while praying the rosary that final weekend. The love surrounding her was a testament to Niñez’s ability to develop and maintain decades-long, loving, and loyal relationships.

Niñez and Fred were both devoted football fans of the Seattle Seahawks, and she loved British rock and pop icon Cliff Richard, traveling to Scotland, the Netherlands and England to attend his concerts live. Niñez was also a gifted and enthusiastic photographer whose beautiful images of her dogs, travels, family and friends, were a constant source of joy and brightness to all who followed her online. Creating personalized photo calendars mailed to friends worldwide was a cherished tradition that brought her into people’s homes and hearts every year. Niñez directed endless photo shoots wherever she went. It is fondly, albeit teasingly, remembered that no gathering could start until all guests had been photographed, two legged and four legged alike.

She was a devoted and passionate lover of American Eskimo dogs or Eskies (hopelessly drawn to these small, white, and fluffy canines); and her beloved pups Chips and Cherry were central to her daily life and public presence. She sewed special bandanas and accessories for her dogs for every occasion, staging elaborate and joyful photoshoots that she shared with friends and an online Eskie community she was a beloved part of. A proud supporter of the Ohio American Eskimo Rescue, she donated generous amounts of her time, resources, and love to the rescue for over a decade. She was known to contribute to dog shelters and the general welfare of stray animals. Because of the joy she and her pups brought, her local Fred Meyer store granted her permission to bring in Chips and Cherry for photos.

Her creativity also took the form of gardening where flowers became her palette. She created prize-winning gardens, receiving awards for best garden in her neighborhoods in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia in 1981 and Millcreek, WA in 2002.

Carrying a deep love for travel and adventure, Niñez enjoyed road trips to places including Crater Lake, Crystal Mountain, Ruby Beach, Cannon Beach, Mt. Rainier, Leavenworth, Butchart international Rose Gardens in Victoria, B.C. Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm and the San Francisco Bay Area, CA for family reunions, often with her beloved Eskies in tow. Not only did she travel to beautiful places, but she also called some of them home. After leaving Libon, she headed to Legazpi City and then Quezon City, Philippines. From there she moved to Dharan, Saudi Arabia and then to the United States where she lived in various cities in Washington state (Bothell, Kirkland, Mill Creek, Marysville) before finally settling in Lacey, where she moved to be close to her best friend, Lori. She was multilingual, speaking four Bicolano dialects, Tagalog, a little Spanish and English.

Niñez shared her adventures generously, bringing friends along and making sure the experience was photographed beautifully, providing everyone with a treasured keepsake. She was widely known as a truly remarkable, faith-filled, kindhearted, and generous woman who was beloved across generations of families and decades of friendships.

Niñez was a woman of deep Catholic faith, and her faith was a steady, central part of her life and character. She was the original “Church Lady.” One of the first friends she made upon arriving in Washington in the 1980’s was through church and soon after she built her social world around that community. She and her close group of friends were known as the “Golden Girls,” nicknamed the “GGs.” Her spiritual community was there for her until the very end. And, when she took her last breath at 3:00 in the morning on May 19th, seven close friends and members of the church immediately arrived to send her off. Until the last possible moment, before the coroner's arrival, she was lovingly held in Amazing Grace, in prayer, song, and spirit.

Those who loved her take comfort in the belief that she has returned to God and has been reunited with Fred, Nolly, and her beloved dogs. When the time inevitably comes for those she’s left behind, Niñez, undoubtedly, will welcome us with a beautifully and lovingly prepared sumptuous feast, legendary echoes from this world to the next.

A memorial website has been created by the family at https://everloved.com/life-of/asuncion-mcconnell/. Please visit this website to share memories, stories, condolences, pictures, videos, send flowers, add to her legacy and for more information on the Celebration of Life and related events.

Obituary prepared by Maricris, with the help of Tita Baby, Karla, and Tanaya Freeny (Funeral Alternatives of Washington)