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GABRIELA CABEZAS
Born: Jul 17, 1947
Date of Passing: Oct 15, 2014
Offer Condolences or Memory Make a donation to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation
GABRIELA CABEZAS (née GABRIELA MADARIAGA AUDIFFRED) On October 15, 2014, with her family by her side, Gabriela Cabezas passed away peacefully at the age of 67 following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Throughout it all, she remained positive and never questioned her faith. She continuously spread her eloquent and loving message of hope, love, and light to her family, friends, and the greater community through visits and e-mails. Gabriela firmly believed that her departed sister Teresita and brother Luis Humberto would return in spirit to help her cross over to life eternal where she would be reunited with the many family members and friends she had the privilege of knowing and loving here in this earthly world. Left to mourn her are her beloved husband Tono, daughter Marcela (Brendan McManus), beloved grandsons Nathan and Kellan McManus, and siblings Luis Horacio Madariaga Audiffred, Jorge Madariaga Audiffred and Lourdes Calande, as well as extended family and friends in Mexico, Chile, Canada, the United States and throughout the world. The eldest of six children, Gabriela was born in Mexico City on July 17, 1947. Following her formal education in Mexico, she worked for the Nestle Company and then for the American Chamber of Commerce as an Executive Bilingual Secretary. This was where she met some of her oldest and dearest friends and learned the values of teamwork, loyalty, and responsibility. Gabriela was a passionate writer and possessed a true love for languages. She fluently spoke Spanish, English, Italian and some French. Although she had studied English since the age of six, she found it humorous that people always commented on her accent when speaking English. In 1975, she decided to come to Winnipeg for a few months, which eventually stretched into the next four decades. She proudly worked at the newly opened Mexican Consulate that year. Ann Ross, Director of the Mount Carmel Clinic, offered her a position in 1976 as a secretary and interpreter for Chilean refugees. Accepting that position ultimately changed the course of her life. While working at Mount Carmel Clinic, she attained Landed Immigrant Status. More importantly however, it was at Mount Carmel where she met her future husband Tono. He would be her companero for the next 36 years that were blessed with immeasurable love and laughter. Gabriela then embarked upon her career as the confidential secretary for the University of Manitoba Book Store at the Fort Garry Campus. Here she made many dear friends over her 34 years of loyal service. For the 1999 Pan American Games, Gabriela was selected as one of 20 people to be trained as an official translator and interpreter for the Games. Through this event, she forged special friendships with several of her peers who she would come to call her familia elegida. Gabriela was very involved in her community. Her many contributions included being a founding member of the steering committee for The Immigrant Women's Association of Manitoba, a founder of the Spanish Community Mass at St. Ignatius Parish, and founding member of the first Mexican-Canadian Association of Manitoba. As well, she volunteered weekly for years at Al Café, a coffee house organized by Winnipeg's Chilean community. She also worked tirelessly on several projects to raise awareness regarding the plight of political prisoners in Chile. Family was the cornerstone of Gabriela's life. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She and Tono considered each day together to be a blessing. Together they forged a marriage that was filled with love, compassion, support, and understanding. Together they opened their hearts, minds, and home to many friends whom they considered to be part of their family. Gabriela taught her daughter Marcela of the many valuable life lessons she had learned from the four generations of strong women before her. Gabriela loved her daughter deeply and was extremely proud of Marcela and her accomplishments. Marcela married Brendan, whom she considered to be the son she and Tono never had but had always wanted. Her grandchildren, Nathan and Kellan completed her family. These two wonderful boys brought immense joy, love, and laughter to her life. They were a source of strength and inspiration. Gabriela repeatedly gave thanks for this great country that provided her with the care she required. She was thankful for the many kind doctors, nurses, health-care aides, therapists, facilitators, transportation volunteers, support group members, and social workers she met through CancerCare Manitoba and the W.R.H.A. Palliative Care Program who helped her throughout this long and difficult journey. Gabriela wanted to extend a special thank you to Dr. Marshall Pitz and Dr. Paul Daeninck for their compassion and kindness. As per Gabriela's wishes, cremation has taken place. In lieu of a funeral, Gabriela requested a Celebration of Life event be held. It is open to friends and family alike and will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 25 at the St. Boniface Golf Club located at 100 Youville Street in Winnipeg. Gabriela will be remembered at the Spanish Mass on Sunday, October 19 at 3:40 p.m. at St. Ignatius Parish, 255 Stafford Street, Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to CancerCare Manitoba.
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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 18, 2014
Condolences & Memories (13 entries)
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Gabriela was one of the nicest, most caring clients I had. She was always so interested in how I was and what I was doing and would always give me a hug before she left. She was very strong throughout her battle with cancer and her determination to keep going always amazed me. Rest in peace, Gabriela, I'll miss our time together. - Posted by: Claire Fast (Friend) on: Dec 18, 2014
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To Tono, Marcela, Brendan and the sweet grand-boys, we are so very sad to hear of Gabriela's passing and recognize her valiant fight and profound belief in her promise of an afterlife...which is her just reward. Gabriela was loved by our family but you may not know that my mother [Ingrid]who passed in 2005, adored Gabriela and they had a very special connection. Gabriela was always so warm, welcoming, cheerful and loving. My mom learned how to make empanadas just to impress dear Gabriela [and my mom was a Swede]. I loved Gabriela's optimism, intelligence, tenderness, adoration of her grandsons, daughter, son-in-law and her inexplicable love for Tono. She will be missed and forever in our hearts. Love to all of you, Ingrid and Bill - Posted by: Ingrid and Bill Ward (Friend) on: Oct 24, 2014
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I knew Gaby at our mutual friends house (Fam Gonzlez) We always had good conversations, great food and many laughs! I also knew her as a very helpful lady at the Manitoba University Library. I had the great opportunity of taking her out for coffee and a little shopping last year. We had again a good conversation and more laughs. I always enjoyed her company and just cannot imagine the sadness that her passing must have brought to you all. There are no words that can comfort your hearts. But I pray the The Lord will comfort your hearts and fill them with new joy and hope trusting that God is Good and His mercies are new every morning. The Lord gave and The Lord took, Blessed be the Name of The Lord. Job 1:21 - Posted by: Sandra batista (Mexican friend) on: Oct 21, 2014
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Marcela and Family, So very sorry to read about your Mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Thinking of you all and wishing you peace. - Posted by: Patricia & Adrian Huntley (Friend of daughter ) on: Oct 20, 2014
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Toño: Cuando las palabras no sirven un beso y un abrazo lo dicen todo. Bogdan and Patricia acabamos de enterarnos, hoy domingo a las 8 pm. - Posted by: bogdan bogdanovic (friend) on: Oct 19, 2014
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I met Gabriela when she came to The Sanctuary with Claudia. We had some wonderful conversations, always filled with her optimism. When she knew she had cancer, she came several times to The Sanctuary for healing energy work, and always went home leaving us feeling blessed by her time with us. We kept in touch, 'though not frequently in the last year, when she made it clear that she was preparing for her final journey, and this was something she wanted to do well. We wish her the peace she offered to others; she was a gift to her family and her friends. - Posted by: HollieAandrew (spiritual friend) on: Oct 19, 2014
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I wish to send my condolenses to Gabriela's family. I got to know her over the past 2 years as her physiotherapist. She was always so interested and involved in all her treatment, very motivated to do her exercises and to follow through on anything I instructed her to do. She showed such a positive attitude in all aspects of her life. I will miss her. My prayers are with her family. - Posted by: Karen Dobbin (Physiotherapy care provider) on: Oct 19, 2014
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Dear Family, I am so sorry... may your heart and soul find peace, comfort, and courage to face the days ahead; and memories to forever hold in your hearts. Dee - Posted by: Diana Bryner (Friend) on: Oct 19, 2014
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My heartfelt sympathy to the family in this time of loss. I will always remember Live, Love, Laugh! Deb - Posted by: Debbie Thurston (co-worker) on: Oct 18, 2014
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Gaby was a warrior of life, she always had a positive attitude towards everything she encountered. She loved life even in her difficult health moments. She always mentioned in her letters to me, that she never felt her sickness as a problem, instead as an opportunity to enjoy life more and more, because God, as she said, had given her the wisdom and the strength to spread the bounty of Love to the ones she Loved and to the ones she met in life. And, I am more than grateful to be one of those touched by her compassion, strength, wisdom, and Love.... -Gaby, you have taught me the meaning of living life to its fullest. See you in heaven, dear friend, my Love will always be there with you. And as the bible mentions in Daniel 12:3 "Those that are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to the righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever" - Posted by: Aracely Toledo (Friend) on: Oct 18, 2014
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Nothing is a greater tribute to a mother's character than the person her daughter becomes. I see this in Marcela, who has all the grace, passion and dedication that her mother had. Gabriela was a beautiful person, inside and out. Her passing is difficult, but her memory will live on in all those who love her dearly. - Posted by: Heather Eckton (friend) on: Oct 18, 2014
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My deepest condolences Antonio, Marcela, Brendan and children Nathan and Kellan. Although I feel sad, I know she lived a very fulfilling life and heaven is lucky to have her. Sorry I will miss the celebrations of her life as I am away. - Posted by: Eduardo Rendis (Friend of the family) on: Oct 18, 2014
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I always enjoyed Gabriela's company even when she mixed up some words, like I am glad you came when she meant she was glad we had invited her. We all had a good laugh over that one. She was a very accomplished woman but you never heard about that from her. Winnipeg has lost a devoted sister and I a beloved friend - Posted by: Nancy Jensen (Very good friend. 403 201 8522) on: Oct 18, 2014