Liwanag P. (Baby) Roman MD

Liwanag P. (Baby) Roman, MD, age 93, of St. Charles, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, November 8, 2020. Loving wife of 64 years to the late Gonzalo T. Roman, Jr. MD; beloved daughter of the late Col. Agaton B. Panopio, Sr. and Aurora Taiño Panopio; devoted mother of Gonzalo Roman III, Priscilla Roman, Joel (Jamie) Roman, David (Lijuan) Roman, Aurora (Gary) Saddler, Alan (Denice) Roman, and Arlene (Michael) Riordan; cherished grandmother of Jessica (David) Tinney, Robert R. (Theresa) Smith III, Jason Roman, Christopher (Rachel) Smith, Michael (Emily) Smith, Ilia (Evan) Flagg, Raena (Adam) Schellinger, Natassia (Daniel) Ott, Jackson (Chandra) Roman, Alexandra (Hunter) House, Jordan Riordan, Jace Roman, Nicole Roman, Jillian Roman, Jonathan Riordan, Andrew Roman, and Nicholas Riordan; treasured great-grandmother of Hannah, Raeanna, Carter, David, Robert IV, Roman, Anson, Lyllian, Anderson, Caroline, Juliana, Canon, Sienna, Nora, Zara, Raymond, June, Rose, Hank, Duke and William; dearest sister of Liwayway P. Roman, Ibarra T. Panopio, Agaton T. Panopio, Jr.; dearest sister-in-law of Milagros (the late William C. II) Banton, Nita (the late Rodolfo) Roman, and Modesto (Myrna) Martinez. Liwanag was also preceded in death by her siblings, Bayani T. Panopio, Ligaya P. Ledesma, and Isagani T. Panopio,

Liwanag was a Pediatrician. She received her medical degree in 1953 from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines, completed her internship at St Mary’s Hospital in Huntington, WV, and her residency at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Homer G. Philips Hospital in St. Louis, MO. She served as Chief Resident at Homer G. Phillips from 1955-1958 where she trained under the distinguished Helen Nash, MD. After finishing her residency, Dr. Roman worked at Grace Hill Clinic until the family returned to the Philippines where she practiced Pediatrics and taught Medical School and Nursing School in Cebu City, Philippines from 1959 to 1971. In 1971, the Roman family returned to St. Louis and Dr. Roman retired from her private medical practice to raise her children but stayed close to medicine. She volunteered as a substitute school nurse at Manchester Elementary School, worked at the St. Louis Comprehensive Neighborhood Health Center, and volunteered supporting her husband at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, MO and the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System in Laredo, TX.

Liwanag (“Baby”, “Babe”, Mom, Grandma Roman) was a kind, gentle and beautiful person both inside and out. As the daughter of a Colonel in the Philippine Army when World War II came to the Philippines, her patience, love and caring for family and others in need were profoundly shaped. She loved telling stories, unabashedly bragged on the accomplishments of her family, never forgot a family member’s birthday and taught us to cherish family. She lived her life to serve, was very generous to others and always welcomed anyone to the table. She loved cooking, sharing her recipes, and was always willing to teach others how to cook any of her most loved dishes. She enjoyed traveling, golf, bowling, cooking and most of all, she had a love for growing plants and roses with her remarkable green thumb.

She lived a full life as a devout Catholic, was dearly loved and will be missed by all who knew her.

Memorial contributions may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.