Lauretta Cillan-Chung, MD

Dr. Lauretta Cillan‑Chung lived a life defined by brilliance, courage, elegance, and devotion; a life that began in the Philippines and grew into a legacy that touched communities across continents. Born on June 7, 1933, in Luisana to Dr. and Mrs. Moises Cillan, Lauretta entered a family rooted in service, discipline, and love. Her father, the town doctor, was a steady and respected presence in their community, and her mother was a homemaker who raised seven children with unwavering strength. Growing up in the province of Laguna, Lauretta learned early what it meant to work hard, to care deeply, and to pursue excellence.

As a child, she excelled in school and developed a love for music, playing piano with the same grace that would later define her presence. Her academic promise led her to boarding school for high school, where she thrived in a structured environment that nurtured her discipline and ambition. Those early years shaped her into a young woman who believed deeply in education, opportunity, and the power of determination - values she would carry throughout her life and pass on to her children.

Lauretta’s path led her to the University of the Philippines, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine degree in 1957. She began her career as a pediatrician, caring for children with tenderness and skill, before expanding her expertise into psychiatry. Her work in the Philippines was groundbreaking. Through USAID, she became a fierce advocate for women’s health and birth control access, championing the right of women to make informed, healthy choices for themselves and their families. In a time and place where such advocacy required courage, Lauretta stood firm. She was a trailblazer - a woman ahead of her time, unafraid to speak boldly for the wellbeing of others.

Her commitment to her profession and her desire for broader opportunities eventually led her to move to the United States with her children. It was a brave decision, one rooted in love and hope. Lauretta wanted her children to have every chance to succeed, and she wanted to continue growing in her field. The family lived in Connecticut, Washington, and Traverse City before finally settling in Kalamazoo, where a new opportunity awaited her. No matter where they lived, Lauretta created a home filled with warmth, structure, and encouragement. She had five children, and she poured her heart into raising them.

Education was not optional - it was essential - and she made sure each of her children earned a college degree. Her pride in their accomplishments was immeasurable.

Lauretta’s life was not only defined by work and family, but also by joy, beauty, and adventure. She loved collecting things; jewelry, trinkets, and souvenirs from her travels around the world. Each item held a memory, a story, a piece of her journey. She adored cruising, traveling, and exploring new places. And she loved to play the slots, often turning vacations into lively, laughter‑filled adventures. Her sense of fun was infectious.

She frequently travelled to the Washington D.C. area to spend time with her family and the large Cillan clan. Even as her health later limited her ability to travel, she carried those memories with her; reminders of a life lived fully and boldly.

Lauretta was always impeccably dressed. Fashion was one of her great joys, and she approached it with precision and flair. Her shoes matched her purse, her purse matched her outfit, and everything matched her elegance. She loved her heels, loved shopping, and loved presenting herself with beauty and confidence. She was a role model of grace, tact, and style, a woman who understood the power of carrying oneself with dignity.

Her home reflected that same sense of order and beauty. It was immaculate, bright, and unmistakably hers. She liked beautiful things and liked them arranged just so. Her yard was a testament to her love of gardening, filled with Michigan native plants, carefully tended to resemble the nature center she admired. Inside, African Violets filled her home, each one cared for with the same attention she gave to everything she loved.

Lauretta also had a sweet tooth that delighted everyone who visited. Candy and nuts were always out, ready to be enjoyed. She loved fried bananas, omelets, sweets of all kinds, and gatherings with friends. Potlucks were common, filled with laughter, conversation, and her signature sweet wine. She created spaces where people felt welcome, nourished, and loved.

Generosity was one of Lauretta’s defining traits. She supported indigenous people of America and in the Philippines, churches doing good work for their parishioners, Loaves & Fishes in Kalamazoo, and religious organizations around the world. Her giving spirit was quiet but constant; she helped because she believed in helping, because she understood what it meant to lift others up.

Becoming a grandmother was one of the greatest joys of her life. She adored her grandsons Daniel and Matthew and was over the moon when she became a great‑grandmother. Her pride in her grandchildren was boundless, and she cherished every moment she spent with them.

Professionally, Lauretta reached the height of her career at Borgess Hospital, where she retired as Chief of Psychiatry. Her leadership, compassion, and expertise shaped countless lives. Even in retirement, she continued to embrace life with enthusiasm, taking up ballroom dancing, attending reunions, and traveling with relatives. Cruises with family were among her happiest memories, filled with laughter, stories, and the joy of being together. She attended college reunions faithfully, often bringing her children along so they could share in the experience.

Her friendships were deep and meaningful. Marla will miss their conversations, their shared holidays, and the advice they exchanged. Michele will miss the laughter they shared and the adventures they took across Michigan. Nick will miss her encouragement and the chance to care for her - he was with her often, tending to her home, helping with anything she needed, and making sure she was safe. Bobby will miss the time she spent with his children, moments filled with warmth and love.

Lauretta lived with generosity, beauty, and selflessness. She believed in family, in education, in hard work, and in living life with intention. She believed in presenting yourself with pride, in surrounding yourself with beauty, and in giving freely to others. She believed in joy, in travel, in dancing, in sweets, in laughter, in the simple pleasure of gathering with friends.

Her legacy is vast. It lives in her children, grandchildren and in her great‑grandchildren. It lives in her nieces and nephews, her colleagues, her friends - including her friends who called themselves the Wonder-reths - and in every person who felt her kindness, her strength, and her unwavering spirit.

Dr. Lauretta Cillan‑Chung lived a life of purpose, elegance, and heart. And she leaves behind a legacy that will continue to shine: bright, beautiful, and unforgettable.

Lauretta Cillan-Chung, MD of Kalamazoo, age 93, died on August 15, 2026. She was born June 7, 1933, in Luisana, Philippines to Dr. and Mrs. Moises Cillan. Surviving are her children: Marifel Lal, Theresa Chung, Marla (Bobby) Masakayan, Nick (Michele) Chung, Thomas Chung; grandchildren: Daniel (Caitlin) Masakayan, Matthew (Caroline) Masakayan; great grandchildren: Josephine, Maria Joy, Owen; many nieces and nephews, her friends and colleagues who cared for her and supported her through difficult times, and her friends, the Wonder-reths.

Please join us for a visitation followed by Mass on Wednesday August 26 at 11 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Lunch will follow in Father Bart Hall.

Celebrate Lauretta’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or Recovery Institute of Southwest Michigan.