Pilar Fajardo

Pilar V. Fajardo, 94, of Syracuse, NY, passed away, Monday, May 22, at St. Joseph’s hospital in the arms of her four children and sons-in-law.

A service to celebrate her life, will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 1, at Holy Cross Church, 4112 E. Genesee Street, Dewitt, NY 13214. Fr. Brendan Foley will be officiating. Burial will follow at St Mary's Cemetery in Dewitt. Friends may call from 4 until 7 p.m., Wednesday May 31, at the Burns Garfield Funeral Home, 3175 E Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13224. Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph’s Health Foundation. For directions to the funeral home or to leave a note of condolence please visit www.burnsgarfield.com

Pilar was born February 8, 1929, in The Philippines, and raised by Andres and Basilia Varela. As a young woman, Mrs. Fajardo survived the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and witnessed the atrocities of the war. On December 26, 1952, she married Francisco X. Fajardo. They immigrated to Syracuse April 1966. Pilar worked for over 30 years for the Office of Bursar at Syracuse University as an Executive Secretary. In addition, she was also a fashion designer and specialized in creating elegant wedding gowns; her dresses were feature in a local bridal magazine. She and husband sponsored over a dozen families to help them immigrate to the U.S. from the Philippines. She spoke five languages, enjoyed reading three newspapers a day, cooking, gardening and most of all spending time with her husband, four children and eight grandchildren.

Pilar is survived by her three daughters, Maria Mahar of Fayetteville, Elizabeth Lapp of Boston, Francine Brule of San Diego; her son, David Fajardo of Boston; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.