Dra. Maria "Chic" Concepcion Abustan Agtarap

Dra. Maria "Chic" Concepcion Abustan Agtarap of Lexington, KY passed away in her home
surrounded by her family on July 10, 2024. She was 64 years old.
She was born in Quezon City, Philippines to Rodolfo and Adelaida Abustan on December 10,
1959, two days after the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, from which she is named.
Maria Agtarap is survived by her husband Cesar Agtarap, her children Kathryn and Marcus
Wada, David Agtarap, and Adeline and Deverin Muff, and her 8 grandchildren, Dante, Xavier,
Titus, Alexis Joy, Zion, and Boaz Wada, and August and Asaiah Jude Muff, along with many
other friends who love her dearly.
Maria Agtarap graduated with a Doctorate in Medicine from The University of Santo Tomas. She
worked as a doctor in the Philippine Refugee Processing Center, a United Nations Project from
1985 to 1992. When she and her husband moved to the United States, she became the heart of
the home and sacrificed her career to raise her three children as a full-time mother.
Maria was a loving and thoughtful wife, mother, daughter, and friend. Those who knew her
would describe her to be someone who was completely selfless and would sacrifice much of her
time and resources to help a stranger. Her spontaneity and creativity allowed her to serve
countless amounts of people. She was a beam of light in her community and filled spaces with
her laughter and joy. Maria had a passion for fun and building relationships with others.
Maria's devout Catholic Christian faith informed her lifestyle. She was an active member of Mary
Queen of the Holy Rosary and helped many Catholic Christian ministries around the diocese.
She frequented reception of the sacraments and spent hours daily in conversation with God
through Eucharistic Adoration, praying the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and attending Mass.
She lived up to her name "Maria Concepcion" by sharing her Marian love with others with
humility, gentleness, and sacrificial love. Her love for God and His children radiated through her
as she helped her local community.
She served as President of the Bluegrass Filipino American Association Inc. from 2008 to 2010.
Throughout her years, many members can recount her being an integral part of their transition
to America. She showed herself to be a servant leader through her great generosity. Many of
these immigrants did not have winter clothes or everyday necessities. Maria would go out of her
way, often never asking things in return, to source these needs for people she just met. There
are countless families that she has helped in so many ways. She helped immigrant families
acclimate to the American culture by teaching them English and various American customs and
being an emotional support. In addition, she would cook and deliver meals, plan several events,
chauffeur families who didn't have a car, and visit and take care of the sick. Empathizing with
the immigrant struggle, she was vigilant to fill the needs of others before they would ask.
Her care for the sick drove her to manage a care-giving program where she and her team would
offer respite for full-time caregivers. She always went above and beyond to provide love and
enjoyment to the sick and elderly.
Maria also had a passion for holistic health and wellness. She created a group called "Pit
Pilipino" to encourage her community to celebrate physical activity and healthy habits through
line dancing, healthy food, and group walks.
Maria was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in January 2023. Her immense trust in God allowed
her to maintain a joyful and positive attitude throughout her illness so much so that some people
were not aware of her condition. Despite her cancer weakening her physically, her faith, hope,
love, and trust in God never faltered. She continued expressing her faith and her daily prayer
despite her pain and suffering. She was so deeply loved and her love for fun and will to fight has
made a lasting legacy on this Earth.
The funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, July 20 at 6:00-8:00pm at Mary Queen of the Holy
Rosary. Maria's final wish was that people wear bright colors to her funeral as it is a celebration
of her life. Visitation and vigil will be from 5:00 to 8:00pm at Kerr Brother Funeral Home. She will
be inurnment at Everest Memorial Hills in the Philippines.
The family would like to thank UK Markey Cancer Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and
Bluegrass Hospice Care for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, the family requests
donations be made to UK Markey Cancer Center.