Milagros Ignatz

Milagros Averia Espejo Ignatz, 81, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, August 23, 2025. Mila was born February 9, 1944, in Solana, Cagayan in the Philippines as her mother, Herminia Averia Espejo, was fleeing their hometown due to the Japanese occupation. Her father, Bonifacio Espejo, was involved in the Philippine resistance, making them a target, so she was named Milagros–which means miracle.

Growing up in the city of Tuguegarao with her two brothers and two sisters, Mila would collect flowers to bring to the church for the Blessed Virgin. Being the oldest daughter, her younger siblings remember her being like a second mother. When their own mother had to travel to Manila, she stepped up to do the cooking and cleaning, and she would take them to the library, instilling in them a passion for reading. As they got older, Mila continued to assist with the care of her siblings–helping with their homework, taking them to the market, and teaching them how to cook.

She graduated Valedictorian from St. Paul College (high school) of Tuguegarao in 1960 and then moved to Manila to attend the University of the Philippines. While there, she was the university’s church organist and moved in with a family who remain life-long friends. She earned both a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and a Master’s of Arts in Teaching for Chemistry Education before moving to the U.S. to obtain her doctorate. She earned her PhD in Science Education from Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL., where she met a tall, shy, handsome doctoral student named Milton Ignatz. Both shared a love of God, classical music, nature, and science education. They married on June 3, 1972, her graduation day.

Mila was hired at Florida A&M University (FAMU) as a Research Coordinator, writing programs and grants, and then moved on to become a Math and Science Education Professor with the university. She and Milton bought their first home near the university, and she supported him as he finished his PhD. Even from across the world, she maintained her close ties with her family, eventually assisting several of her family members to come to the U.S.

Milton and Mila started a family with the birth of their son, Mark. After their third child, Marie, was born, they moved outside of the city to a home in the country where Milt could hunt and Mila could garden. She landscaped their property with many species of trees, a grape vineyard, hedges and flowers. She also took her daughters to plant and maintain their church’s gardens in Monticello, frequently bringing flower arrangements for Sunday Mass.

In addition to having a green thumb, she was a talented seamstress. Standing at just about five feet tall, she had to alter her own clothes. She would also make curtains, re-upholster furniture, knit afghans, and make her daughters’ school uniforms and costumes; and when asked to make her oldest daughter’s prom dress, she used the opportunity to teach her daughters to sew. She was always a teacher to her students and to her children. They remember countless hours at the dinner table doing math or science homework with her, sitting with her on the piano bench as they practiced their pieces, learning their nightly prayers and how to pray the rosary, and learning traditional Filipino dances. She was active with the Filipino-American Association, hosting events and organizing fundraisers to benefit charities in the Philippines. She was an excellent cook and instilled a love of Filipino dishes in her family. Everyone knew her for her sweet voice, her contagious laughter and her generous nature. But as small as she was in size, she had a big personality and was known to be headstrong, as many leaders are. Ultimately, she believed in herself and in what she could accomplish.

Much of Mila’s work at FAMU focused on teaching math and science educators. In 1993, she spearheaded the Accelerated Schools Program, targeting elementary schools with high percentages of minorities and at-risk students with a focus on more hands-on methods of teaching and problem solving. She was passionate about teaching but even more passionate about her family. After Milton had a major stroke, she retired so that she could be there for him as his health had significantly declined. Mila was never one to stay idle, so she started volunteering at Big Bend Hospice, made scapulars for a religious order, and became the music director for the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Tallahassee. She also made every effort to visit her children and grandchildren.

In 2019, the onset of Mila’s dementia became apparent, so she and Milton moved to their daughter Eileen’s home in Oklahoma City. While her final years with the progression of the disease were fraught with challenges, Mila continued to emulate love, transforming all who were fortunate to be around her. Her children and grandchildren will always be grateful for every moment they had with her.

Mila passed away three months after Milton’s death and two months after what would have been their 53rd wedding anniversary. Mila will always be remembered as a hardworking, talented, kind, and generous woman who loved her family and trusted God. She was a devoted wife and mother who supported and encouraged her children in their faith and education. She cherished each of her grandchildren, many of whom have fond memories of doing science experiments, visiting bookstores, and singing and dancing with her. She is survived by her three children: Mark Ignatz, Eileen (husband Charles) de Coune, and Marie (husband Adam) Thompson; and eleven grandchildren: Chloé, Christian, and Maximilien de Coune; Heather (Ashtyn), Laurel, and Barrett Ignatz; and Anthony, Chiara, Dominic, Gabriel, and Caleb Thompson. Also surviving her are her siblings: Manuel (late wife Lee) Espejo, Jose (wife Louella) Espejo, and Grace (husband Billy) Kong; and many nieces and nephews. She is reunited in death with her parents, her husband Milton Ignatz and her sister Maria Teresita (Marita) (late husband Tranquilino (Noy)) Basilio.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City on Friday, August 29 at 3:00 p.m. Burial will be at Rose Hill Burial Park, and a celebration of life will follow at the family home.

To watch the service, live please use this link.  https://www.youtube.com/@ourladyscathedral