Rosemary Mabutas DeLeon

Physician, wife, mother, gardener, keeper of family — she lived every role with her whole heart. 

Rosemary Mabutas DeLeon, 81, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of love and dedication that touched those fortunate enough to know her. Born in Aparri, Cagayan, Philippines, during World War II, Rosemary was the first of eleven children born to Angelina Cid Mabutas and Dr. Juan Lloren Mabutas Jr. As the eldest of her six brothers and four sisters, she embraced responsibility from an early age — learning to cook out of necessity, a skill that would blossom over the decades into one of her greatest and most cherished passions.

Rosemary’s brilliance was evident from the start, and her photographic memory was legendary among her classmates. She enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) School of Medicine in the Philippines, where, during her first year, she met Serafin “Chico” DeLeon Jr. In many ways, they seemed an unlikely pair. Rose was the quiet, intensely focused scholar, while Chico was gregarious, a charmer, and the medical school class president. Yet their differences proved to be their strength, each completing the other in ways that would only deepen with time. She graduated from UST second in their class in 1968. Chico would go on to train in general surgery, thoracic surgery, and pediatric cardiovascular surgery, and together they would build a remarkable life spanning continents, careers, and generations.

Rose and Chico were married on May 3rd, 1969, and Rose completed her internal medicine residency at Carney Hospital in Boston, followed by a fellowship in Pulmonary Medicine at the Hines VA in Chicago. She earned triple board certification in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, and critical care.

Behind the credentials was a woman of uncommon character. Those who knew Rose spoke of her poise and grace — a quiet dignity that never wavered. She met every challenge with bravery and a deep, abiding faith that sustained her through difficult times. Hers was a deep well, and those fortunate enough to draw from it — patients, colleagues, children, and grandchildren alike — were better for it.

Rose built a busy private practice in the western suburbs of Chicago while giving birth and raising five beautiful children. Despite a demanding schedule, she managed to attend school events, recitals, and the occasional game. This often required her children to spend considerable time accompanying her to hospitals, where they quickly acclimated to the environment. They relished dining on fine cheeses and ice cream sandwiches in a myriad of doctors’ lounges, where they became recognized as regulars.

Rose and Chico’s five children — MaryAnn, Serafin, Alexander, Joanne, and Jason — all followed them into the field of medicine, pursuing careers in pediatrics, orthopedic surgery, anesthesiology, and family medicine. It was one of her greatest sources of pride.

In 1999, Rose and Chico relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana. She found deep joy in her garden, tending to the kumquat and lemon trees, and in simple pleasures such as listening to her son Alex play the piano and her daughter Joanne sing. Her home became a gallery of her favorite crafts: hand-painted decorations, a treasure trove of items repurposed in creative and surprising ways, and photo collages of her beloved children and grandchildren that adorned every corner of the house.

For 57 years — through medical school, residencies, cross-country moves, five children, and the quiet evenings of their later years — Rose and Chico remained each other’s constant. Hand-in-hand, talking and laughing late into the night, right up until the very final moments, they never stopped choosing each other.

S U R V I V O R S

Her devoted husband of 57 years,

Serafin “Chico” DeLeon Jr.

Her five children:

MaryAnn Bernstein

and her husband, Matthew Bernstein

Serafin DeLeon III

and his wife, Jennifer Chan

Alexander DeLeon

and his wife, Beverly DeLeon

Joanne DeLeon

and Christopher Joplin

Jason DeLeon

And her eight beloved grandchildren:

Cameron, Ethan, Marissa, Brendan, Joshua, Jordyn, Everett, and Logan

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

https://holyspiritchurchnola.org/