GLORIA REYES UMALI

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GLORIA REYES UMALI May 9, 1931 - May 6, 2016 Surrounded by her family, our beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Gloria Reyes Umali, peacefully passed away at the age of 84. Lola Gloria is survived by her husband, of 63 years, Marcial Umali; nine children, Bienvenida (Nestor), Carlito (Aida), Donardo (Corazon), Enrico (Normita), Florida (Arnel), Herminio (Mariz), Ismael (Joy), Jasmin (Eric), Kelmer (Grace); 27 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her mother Natividad and father Isayas; siblings, Illuminada, Ligaya and Leandro; and two children, Arceli (in infancy) and Gilda (in childhood). Lola Gloria was born in Pantalan, Santa Cruz, Laguna, Philippines. She was married to Lolo Marcial on March 21, 1953 and raised nine children in San Agustin, Sto. Tomas, Batangas. As a couple, Lolo worked as a farmer, while Lola sold their crops at the local market. They strived to put all their children through school, until they immigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba on January 11, 1989. In Canada, Lola worked for a number of years at Galaxy Garments. Lola Gloria found great happiness spending Saturday evenings attending mass at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church and having her children and grandchildren over for dinner, which always included fried chicken and home cooked Filipino dishes. Lola's house' on Boyd became a second home to all of her children and grandchildren, as we were always welcome to be babysat or partake in meals. In recent years, Lola enjoyed really simple pleasures like winning kutkot' or scratch tickets, playing bingo, doing word searches and taking the bus on her own to Garden City Mall or Bueno Brothers Supermarket. Lola was never without a story that contained a moral lesson and always had food or treats for her grandchildren. She always made it a point to be present at every occasion and always ensured that she and Lolo would go home to the Philippines every couple years. Lola's endless support of family, charismatic nature and virtuous beliefs were admired by all who knew her. Lola will forever be missed and cherished in the hearts of many in Canada, the Philippines, Italy, the Middle East and Singapore. The Umali family wishes to extend a sincere, heartfelt thank you for the exceptional care of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at the Health Sciences Centre, Dr. April Boyd and Lola's beautiful nurse Katrin for her gentle, compassionate end of life care on Lola's last day with us. Lamay will be held at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens, 4477 Main Street on Saturday, May 14 from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight. Mass will begin at 7:30 p.m. Lola's final resting place will be in Lola's hometown in Batangas, Philippines.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 12, 2016