Friends remember with affection the departed Dr. Fely Quines
Dr. Felicisima David-Quines, who was a geriatrician in Queens and a family medicine specialist in Albany, has succumbed to pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her husband, retired physician Dr. Emilio Quines, and their three children Emilio III, Alan, and Lisa. She was 75.
“This is so sad,” wrote former Consul General in New York Theresa Dizon De Vega on Facebook. “We will miss such a gracious lady.”
According to a friend of the Quines family L.P. Pelayo, the wake is scheduled for July 5, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home, Inc. at 1225 Montauk Hwy in West Islip. Funeral Mass is on July 6 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church at 39 North Carll Avenue, Babylon, New York.
Fely was born in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. She finished her Doctor of Medicine at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay (UERM) in 1968 and migrated to the United States the same year. She finished her U.S. training in medicine at New Jersey College of Medicine, and additional residency and fellowship for adult and geriatric psychiatry at Downstate SUNY Brooklyn and Kings County Hospital. She was, as of 2016, an attending physician at the Adult and Geriatric Psychiatry SUNY Downstate-Kings Hospital. Husband Emilio was born in Baguio City and grew up in the town of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur. He too finished his Doctor of Medicine at UERM but two years ahead of Fely.
Fely and Emilio are a quiet and well-admired couple who have devoted most of their time to community service, volunteerism, and family. Despite their professional accomplishments, they tend to be low-key. They have participated in numerous medical missions to the Philippines organized by the Philippine Medical Association in America where she and her husband have served as presidents.
When the couple was named Grand Marshals of the 2014 Philippine Independence Day Parade, then Consul General Mario de Leon hailed them as “true models” being an “accomplished, charitable, yet modest couple.”
Fely was a member of the Ladies for Rizal Long Island chapter.
“I’ve known the Quineses for 25 years,” said Nelia Ferrette offering her comments when they were named Grand Marshals. “They were then presidents of PMAA. I remember they both showed strong leadership during the medical and dental mission in Cabanatuan City. Both have warm personalities and giving nature.”
Friends remember Fely with affection as condolences poured on Facebook.
“What a big loss to the Filipino community. You will be missed Fely,” wrote Nena Lozada Smith.
From Raul Estrellado: “We share your deep feeling of emptiness and mourning over the loss of Tita Fely. She will be in our prayers for the eternal repose of her soul and for her to be with God forever.”
“She was a lovely person and I am deeply saddened,” said Vivian Talambiras-Cruz.
© The FilAm 2019
