Tan Fina was born in 1932, before World War II, and passed away in 2024 at the age of 92. The eldest of nine children born to Jesus and Rosario Leon Guerrero Perez of familian (Bonño or Boñu), she grew up deeply rooted in CHamoru values of faith, family, and service. Her love for learning earned her the nickname “Prinsesa” from her sisters for her bookish nature, and this passion would eventually blossom into a decades-long career in education.

A devoted Catholic, Tan Fina’s spiritual life shaped much of her community work. She played the piano, cherished religious hymns, served as a techa, and even led the rosary in CHamoru on KUAM for the Archdiocese of Hagåtña. She was also a founding member of the Catholic Daughters of America alongside her peers.
Her journey in higher education brought her to Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, where she met Joseph T. Barcinas, who was studying at the University of Dayton. They married in 1958, raised six children in Sinajana, and shared a lifelong commitment to teaching. Her dedication to her students was unwavering—even during the 1981 Guam Federation of Teachers strike, she chose to cross the picket line to be present in her classroom.

Tan Fina became a pioneer in Guam’s Bilingual-Bicultural Education Program, teaching first grade at Price Elementary School. For over 20 years, she modeled excellence as a bilingual educator, mentored aspiring teachers as a Master Teacher, and contributed to curriculum development that advanced the CHamoru language in educational spaces.

This award recognizes Tan Fina’s humility, professional commitment, and genuine humanity. Her legacy of service and cultural preservation lives on through the generations of students, educators, and community members she inspired.

On September 20, 2024, during the Fina’che’cho’ yan Finattan i Hinayen CHamoru (CHamoru Genealogy Symposium), the Kumisión i Fino’ CHamoru had the great honor of presenting its Rikuetdon Finayen Tinemton yan Setbisiu or Life-long Achievement Award to one such pillar: Tan Josefina “Fina” Leon Guerrero Perez Barcinas. Her award was received with pride by her family.

(Left to Right) Anthony Barcinas Santos, Jessica Nangauta, Vanessa Santos-Pikney, Nina’i Pås Nangauta Santos, Teresita C. Flores (Kumisión Member), Dr. Laura M. Torres Souder (Kumisión Gé’helo’), Rosa S. Palomo (Kumisión Sikritåria) Hope A. Cristobal (Kumisión Bisa Gé’helo’), Carmen Barcinas Santos, Dr. Robert A. Underwood (Kumisión Board), Anthony Santos, Raymons Barcinas, Avery Barcinas Pikney, Rose Cruz Barcinas, MariJo Barcinas Hernandez, Arron Pikney, Jennifer Salas Barcinas, Cameron Barcinas Santos, Ayana Barcinas Pikney