LaBerta Patricia Ciluaga

LaBerta Patricia Ciluaga, 77, Meridian, Idaho passed away on October 18, 2017 at home surrounded by family and loved ones. She was 77 years at age of death. Her passing was due to a battle with aggressive Parkinson’s disease. LaBerta was born on June 26, 1940 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise.
LaBerta and John M. Cilluaga Sr. married at Our Lady of Rosary Church in 1959, passing shy four months of celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary. She attended Franklin grade school, Boise High and Boise Jr. College. After marriage, LaBerta was a wife, mother, and business woman. While raising their three children she worked side by side with her husband in their insurance business, and in building and managing of the first office complex in Kuna, Idaho in the 70’s called the Ciluaga Plaza. In 1991, they opened up the first Cookies by Design in Boise, ID, which they ran for ten years.
LaBerta possessed many creative talents and exceeded at them all exceptionally. Her ability to draw and paint murals, a seamstress, a doll maker and a pianist were the talents she excelled at. Her talent of sewing quilts was extensive, spending 5 decades making these creations along with making her daughter beautiful custom Vogue gowns. These are just a few of LaBerta’s self-taught talents that brought so much love and joy to her family and friends.
Later in life, LaBerta and John were active in outdoor activities at their cabin, whether it was riding snowmobiles, golf or social time with friends. She loved to RV also; they would hit the roads where they enjoyed many adventures together seeing their family or with friends.
LaBerta and John adored their grandchildren. When the 1st grandchild, Ryan, was born they visited California often and when Nicolette was born they decided to move to California to be close to them. In California LaBerta and John discovered a talent for managing RV resorts and large apartment complexes. LaBerta was recognized as the Portrait of a Manager in the AM News for her accomplishments as a manager.
LaBerta being a grandmother, wife, mother and friend meant more to her than words could express. This angel in our lives is a great loss to us all. God must have needed an angel to play the pipe organ in heaven.
LaBerta had been a pillar of health always nurturing others when ill. Until 2009 when she received a mammogram diagnosing her with stage 3 breast cancer. Her sister had been diagnosed previously with this disease. Bert being brave, fought with chemotherapy and radiation, beating this disease eventually. It did weaken her, but she was cancer free up until her death from Parkinson’s.
LaBerta is survived by her husband John Sr. of 59 years, along with her beautiful children: John, Jr., Cynthia, and Michael. Also, grandchildren: Ryan, Nicolette, John III, Jace and KashLyn. She is also survived by Aunt Francis and her siblings Rosalie, Rosanna, Catherine, and Pamela Jo, and extended family, her children’s spouses, loving nieces, nephews, and friends.
And we must not forget Bert’s rescue dog “Sweet Pie” who gave LaBerta much love and comfort in the last years. They were two peas in a pod.
She was preceded in death by mothers Ida Jones and Helen Peck and fathers Ray Gray and Charles Rea; brothers, Sonny, David, Bobby, Tommy and many aunts and uncles.
Graveside service will be on Friday, November 24, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Morris Hill Cemetery with Father John Legerski officiating. The family will be holding a private reception at Louie’s Restaurant after the graveside service at 1:00 PM. Arrangements are under the care of Cloverdale Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to www.parkinsonhope.org in memory of LaBerta. This donation goes towards research for this disease. Bless all of you.