Dr. Lourdes Pleños Dizon passed away peacefully in her home on the morning of August 21, 2018. 

Lourdes, affectionately known as "Didit" among her family and friends, was born in the tiny town of San Francisco, Cebu, Philippines on June 23, 1936.  She received her bachelor's and medical degrees with honors from Southwestern University, Cebu City, where, in her spare time, she was also the social editor of the medical school newspaper.  She immigrated to the United States in 1968, where she established her hematology / oncology practice in the Southeast Michigan area, primarily at Mt. Carmel/Sinai Grace.

A good and empathetic listener, mentor and protector, Lourdes brought intelligence and compassion to her profession as well as her culture, becoming one of the pioneers and pillars of the Filipino community in Michigan.  Lourdes supported anyone in need, including many in the Philippines, so that over the years she became known as "Manang", even to those who were not related.  She opened her heart and her home well beyond her family, hosting, sponsoring, and inspiring organizations such as: the Ang Bisaya of Michigan and its yearly Medical Missions; the Pedro Calungsod Choir; and the Philippine Medical Association.  The Dizon house in West Bloomfield became known for its warmth, festivity, singing, and dancing, where Lourdes and her family established lifelong relationships through their graciousness and generosity.

Lourdes was a nurturer who loved gardening and cultivating flowers, especially orchids, which seemed to thrive in her care, up to the point where she would give them away to any admirer who asked.  She was a spoiler, who loved to delight people with gifts during holidays and after trips, and the kind of cook who would make your favorite dish as soon as she heard you wanted it. 

And Lourdes was an adventurer, who enjoyed traveling with her family.  Endlessly curious and energetic, she horse backed in the hills of the Philippines and ziplined the valleys of Hawaii, making friends in destinations as diverse as Alaska, Cambodia, Peru, and continental Europe.

Lourdes is survived by her loving husband, Leonides Dizon; her son, Emmanuel Dizon and daughter, Louella (Jose) San Juan; grandchildren Joella and Jisella San Juan; and siblings Benjamin (Nicetas) Plenos; Virgilia (Joel) Jacobson; Milagros (Wolfgang) Meyer; Aurora (Graham) Russell; and Clarissa (Emmanuel) Goopio.

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. Dr. Dizon will lie in state on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. until the time of her funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Priscilla Catholic Church, Livonia.