Dr. Virginia Kamantigue Periola-Patriarca, age 68, of Hays, Kansas peacefully passed away at her home in Hays, Kansas on June 20, 2024. Surrounded by her beloved husband and family. Virginia was born on August 4, 1955 in Angeles City, Philippines, the cherished eldest child of Carlos Periola, a US Army Veteran, and Isabel Kamantigue.
She pursued her undergraduate studies and obtained her medical degree from University of Santo Tomas before immigrating to the United States in 1984. Virginia began her career at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, New York.
In New York City, she met John Patriarca, whom she married on June 15, 1990 and with whom she just celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary.
Their journey led them to the serene town of Presque Isle, Maine, where they resided for 5 years, allowing Virginia to dedicate herself to Aroostook Medical Center. An avid dog lover, it was during this time that John and Virginia welcomed their first furry family member, Smokey (a German Shepherd), into their home. He was soon joined by Honey Bear, a Golden Retriever, followed by Jordan, a Yellow Lab, and Dixie, a Boxer. Currently, they share their home with Duke, a spirited Husky-Shepherd mix.
Driven by her unwavering passion for healthcare, Virginia and John relocated to Hays, Kansas in 1995, where she initially joined the former inpatient unit at Hadley Hospital. Affectionately known as "Dr. P," she dedicated 25 years of her career to serving Northwest Kansas, primarily focusing on adults with severe mental illness. In September 2020, Dr. P retired as the esteemed Medical Director of High Plains Mental Health Center.
Initially planning a brief stay of less than 5 years, John and Virginia found themselves captivated by Hays' unhurried lifestyle and the warmth of its community, which ultimately kept them rooted there far longer.
Despite overcoming uterine cancer earlier, Virginia faced a diagnosis of Stage 3 Breast Cancer in April 2024 and a subsequent discovery of a brain tumor. Although she bravely underwent successful brain surgery on May 24, 2024, her health declined thereafter.
She is survived by her devoted husband John; step-son, John-Paul and his wife Antoinette, their children Julianne and Jhennyn; her brothers, Irwin and Rommel; her sisters-in-law, Victoria and Agnes; and her cherished nieces and nephews, Jhandy, Jehan, Jiliane, Matthew, Marttin, Janile, Jarryd, Nicolle, Nerissa, Jonathan, Jhena, Justin, and Benjamin.
At Virginia's request, please honor her vibrant spirit by wearing bright colors to her funeral services instead of black.
Funeral Services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays. A reception will follow services starting at 11:30 AM at Smoky Hill Country Club.
Visitation will be Friday 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM with a combined parish vigil and rosary service at 7:00 PM all at Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory-Brock's Chapel 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
In lieu of gifts, the family requests donations to the High Plains Mental Health Center Endowment. This non-profit organization reflects Virginia's commitment to advancing behavioral healthcare in Northwest Kansas.
We encourage you to share memories and stories on Virginia's Tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com