Earlier this month, Villanova students were informed of the passing of former Dining Services employee Virginia Esguerra. Esguerra was known for her enthusiasm and passion for connecting with the students at Villanova, and these characteristics are what made her loved throughout the Villanova community.
“Virginia was one of the most kind hearted, hard-working and caring people on this campus,” senior Hannah Sweeney said. “As an intimidated freshman, seeing Virginia would always brighten my day. Whether it was offering me advice when I was struggling or picking out medication for me when I was sick, Virginia always knew how to help.”
At the age of 76, Esguerra began her work at Villanova in Donahue Court and Donahue Market – often referred to as “Sparket” – and quickly, students began to make trips from all corners of campus just to visit her at work. Students described her as being willing to go beyond what her job entailed, as she would always engage in conversation and remember details about students that they had previously shared with her.
“I had a tough freshman year, but without a doubt, every time I visited Sparket to pick something up she was there,” senior Isabella Balian said. “She remembered me every time I came in and got to know me. She asked for my name the first time we met and always greeted me with a smile.”
Esguerra felt the same towards students as they did towards her.
“I came back to work because I love working with students,” Esguerra said, in an article previously published by The Villanovan. “They are giving me a long life. Serving them keeps me happy and healthy.”
Before coming to Villanova, Esguerra worked with students in her home country of the Philippines. She was a calculus teacher for both high school and college before she moved to the United States in the 1980s. Once in America, she got her Master’s from Drexel University and worked in New York City as a quality control manager. Villanova served as a place where she was able to connect back to her roots of working and connecting with students obtaining higher education.
“Sometimes students come in and ask me to read over their essays,” Esguerra said in the same Villanovan article. “Other times they come in and ask what medicine they should buy when they are sick. Helping students is why I come to work every day, rain or shine.”
“The best part about Virginia is she was like this to everyone, whether you had just met her or known her for years,” Sweeney said. “Sometimes, I would be sitting in the dining hall and I’d see groups of students walk in. Almost all of them would first stop and say hello to Virginia.”
Esguerra saw the Villanova students as part of her family, and students felt the same way. She was known on campus as everyone’s “Villanova Grandma,” as they would turn to her for advice and comfort while away from home.
“When I missed home, when I missed my parents, and even my grandma, she reminded me of the love my parents and grandparents gave me,” Balian said. “She always talked about how much she loved her grandkids and how she missed them. She spoke so highly of them. She told us her love for them inspired her love for us and her service here at Villanova.”
“Her impact on the Villanova community was far-reaching and she will be deeply missed,” Sweeney said.
Esguerra will be missed immensely throughout the Villanova community, and beyond.