Emelita Quioc Sleep “Mel”

Emelita Quioc Sleep (Mel)

Born April 29, 1952
Passed away on October 24, 2021
Married to Benjamin Frederick Sleep on November 20, 1996
Father: Carlos Quioc
Mother: Angelina Acibes Quioc
She was the oldest child and had 6 sisters and 2 brothers
Siblings: Maria Dolores Quioc Cabatbat
Socorro Quioc Mercado
Leonara A. Quioc
Enrico A. Quioc
Remedios Quioc Eclar
Prospera Quioc Borbon
Perpetual A. Quioc
Roman A. Quioc

Home town in Philippines: Mabalacat in province of Pampanga. Home town in United States: Alexandria, Virginia

Education: Bachelor of Science in Education, Holy Angel University, Angeles City Philippines

Occupation: In Philippines she was a teacher with a specialty in teaching behaviorally challenged children.

In the United States starting in the early 1990s she began a lifelong career in providing child care in the home of the family she was working for. She also worked various 2nd jobs concurrently with the child care such as at Walmart and providing house cleaning services. Every single one of her employers absolutely loved Mel.

Beloved sister and friend. Ever generous and compassionate, to every mankind. She loved dogs and cats. Her first heartbreak was when her dog “Tiger” died. She was not able to
work for a week.

As the first born, she made sure she stood with our parents, to make sure the rest of the siblings are well cared of. She made a lot of sacrifices for her loved ones, so that even on her death bed, all she can think of is their welfare. We wept together, and had told me how she wished she had more time to serve the people she loved. She always found time make good food, never complained about being tired or busy, she wanted the people she loved to be well fed all the time.

As an employee she is very dedicated. As a teacher, she was tasked to teach behaviorally challenged kids. And she carried on this responsibility very gracefully and tactfully. Parents
showered her with gifts to appreciate the effect and guidance on their children, as they saw them change for the better. It was not an easy task. I for one would hide when it was time to check
papers, as I was her go to person to help her.

She loved Sophia*s children. It gave her great joy just by hearing their voices. She loved her husband wholeheartedly, she made sure she did not leave for work without making good food for him
as well. She would remind him to eat healthy food. She loved Casey and Buddy. Just a week ago, she fed them, while sitting in bed.

As for herself, she will tell you she had no time to do anything, if you ask her out. Her time was to cook and clean. A year ago, I asked her what she really loves to do. She told me she loves to cook. She did not lose hope even with cancer diagnosis. She wanted to have a bakery shop, and make her yummy scones. She was not very materialistic. She only wanted a nice clean house “no crumbs” please, dress nicely and have a regular facial. She took care of her skin. A week ago, after helping her with change her clothes, she told us we were not done, as we need to help her with her facial wipes and moisturizer and told Wendy li lynn, whom she called our niece Wendy, she was not done, as she wanted her to put lotion on her whole body. She had a strong faith in God, she was not afraid to die, only afraid she can no longer be of help.

In her honor, we will continue her good deeds, to be loving to all mankind without prejudice in all aspects. We will honor her wishes, big or small… I miss her terribly, but knowing she will be with the Lord, where there can only be happiness, is what helps me be stronger. May she rest in peace!

In 2005, Mel and her husband Ben used a large portion of the profit from the sale of their Townhome in Alexandria, VA to buy and build a new home in the Philippines. They had dreams and hopes to evenly split their time during Retirement living in the Philippines and the United States.

Mel was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in the fall of 2018. The cancer at the time of the diagnosis was already at the latest stage and no cure was possible. She immediately retired from her job and spent 3 years fighting hard and undergoing various cancer treatments to prolong her life as much as possible. Mel had never smoked a cigarette during her entire life and this was such a tragedy. Over time the cancer spread to her bones and in the fall of 2021 the cancer spread to her liver.

The family will receive friends at the Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 on Thursday, November 4, 2021 from 1:00 PM until the time of her Life Celebration at 3:00 PM