Leticia Simbulan Azarcon,
Community Organizer & Clinical Dietician

by Presley Azarcon

Leticia “Letty” Simbulan Azarcon was born on January 20, 1941 in Manila, Philippines. Letty came to the United States as an immigrant in 1966 with her husband Joe and her two kids. They eventually landed in Salt Lake City, Utah

Soon after their arrival, Letty and her husband Joe helped to establish the Pilipino American Association of Utah in 1976 with other Filipino community leaders. Letty is a strong member of the Filipino Community in Utah and embraced her ties with its traditions and foods and cared deeply for members that she considered to be her extended family.

Letty graduated from the University of Santo Tomas and worked as a teacher before returning to school at the University of Utah and receiving her degree as a Registered Dietician. She worked as the Director of Clinical Nutrition and Dietary Services at Saint Joseph’s Villa for over 30 years and was always sure to show her affection through food. She insisted on feeding everyone in her community simply because she loved them and she would never stand for an empty stomach.

She was known for the delicious Filipino dishes that she would prepare in her small kitchen to feed the entire community. Letty was also a devoted Catholic who held her beliefs strongly and was active with yearly Simbang Gabi traditions at churches throughout Salt Lake City.

Letty dedicated her life to assure she gave everything she had so that her family and her Filipino Community, whom she loves dearly, were better off.

Presley Azarcon is the grandaughter of Letty Sibulan Azarcon. She wrote this biography as part of the “Pinay Visionaries: Celebrating Filipina American Women” campaign in 2019. Thanks also to OCA Asian Pacific Islander American Advocates Utah and Emilio Manuel Camu.