Maria Lenita Arrojado Utuk, 71, of Jacksonville, FL passed away on Friday, May 29th, 2026. Born in Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines, Maria was the eldest of seven children. Determined to support her family and pursue her passion for Nursing, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Velez College School of Nursing-Cebu in 1976. She began her career as a labor & delivery nurse at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey, then continued at Lee Memorial Health System in southwest Florida for 26 years, retiring in 2015.
She was a constant source of support for her family and friends, showing her compassion and empathy through thoughtful acts. From sending handwritten letters and Christmas cards to friends, to meticulously filling care packages to send to family in the Philippines, her kindness showed as she always thought about others so those around her knew they were cared for.
Maria had a strong spirit in both her mind and body. She overcame many health challenges throughout her life yet handled each issue with grace and perseverance. She was a voracious reader who enjoyed learning and sharing her knowledge with others. She loved music, especially the oldies from the 70s and the Beatles. She advocated for the arts through her children, as demonstrated by her support during piano lessons and by her proud attendance at many piano and band recitals. Maria’s favorite seasonal celebrations were Christmas and Thanksgiving; always excited to decorate, she created a cozy, festive atmosphere at home for her family each year.
She was a dedicated and supportive spouse, as her husband John attests, “I am honored to say how lucky I am to have been married to the best wife in this world. Forty-nine years of marriage is a true testimony of our strong relationship, partnership, and togetherness”. Most importantly, she was very fond of her family and her precious grandchildren. Her departure from us is disheartening, but we are confident she has gone to a much better place to remain with God in peace and tranquility.
She is survived by her husband of 49 years of marriage, John A. Utuk, Jr.; daughter, Kimberly Parikh; son, John Willard Utuk; two grandchildren, Jasmine and Jaden; mother, Matilde Arrojado; sisters, Nannette Adlawan, Norisa Kho, Ma Ophelia Viajar; brothers, Alan Arrojado, Marlon Arrojado, Manuel Arrojado, and several grand nieces and nephews.
The memorial service will be held at the Ponte Vedra Valley Funeral Home on Friday, June 12th, with visitation from 10am-1pm and service from 1pm-2pm.
