Avelina dela Cuesta Ibarra

Avelina dela Cuesta Ibarra passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026, at her home in Colonial Place, Norfolk, Virginia. Born in Manila, Philippines, in 1934, she grew up in San Andres Bukid and her ancestral home in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, where she remained proud to call herself a Sarrateño throughout her life. In 1963 she married Rufino P. Ibarra, a career U.S. Navy submariner, who preceded her in death in 2019. Together they raised four children who survive her: Pearl McIntosh (Chris), Gina Coss (Dave), Ken Ibarra, and Alan Ibarra (Verna). She is also survived by five grandchildren: Daryl Ann Coss, Kendall Marie Coss, Lily Ibarra, Andrew Ibarra, and Mathew Ibarra.

Avelina earned a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. An accomplished classical pianist, she devoted more than forty years to teaching piano in the Tidewater region of Virginia. She held memberships and leadership roles in the Piano Guild USA Hall of Fame, the National Federation of Music Clubs, the National Guild of Piano Teachers, the Virginia Music Teachers Association, and the Scherzo Music Club. Her students, numbering in the hundreds, benefited from her deep love of music and her quiet joy when they mastered a challenging piece.

Beyond music, Avelina was an avid runner and longtime member of the Tidewater Striders. She completed numerous marathons and 10K races, earning age-group awards well into her seventies. When running gave way to daily walks along the Colonial Place waterfront, she cherished greeting her neighbors. She and her husband traveled extensively, crossing the country twice by RV and journeying abroad. At home, she was a devoted patron and season ticket holder of the Virginia Symphony and Virginia Opera.

A faithful Catholic, Avelina was a longtime parishioner at Blessed Sacrament in Norfolk and later at St. Benedict’s Parish in Chesapeake. She served as an Auxiliary member of the Legion of Mary. Her warmth, discipline, and generous spirit touched countless lives, leaving a legacy that will continue to enrich her family and community for generations.