ROSALINDA NATIVIDAD-CANTIVEROS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ROSALINDA NATIVIDAD-CANTIVEROS Touched by the Lord, on Tuesday, March 4, 2008, with her family and friends by her side, a great sister, a devoted wife, a loving mother of Ron and John, passed away peacefully due to complications from cancer at Victoria General Hospital. She was 61 years old. Rosalinda Linsangan Natividad-Cantiveros was born November 3, 1946 in Gapan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. In July 1974, Linda and Rod immigrated to Canada. She was predeceased by her parents, Francisco Torres Natividad and Trinidad Linsangan Natividad; her parents-in-law Dalmacio Cantiveros and Guadalupe Escobar Cantiveros; some nieces and nephews. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 35 years, Rod Escobar Cantiveros; by her two sons, Ronald Francis and John Edward Cantiveros; her four brothers (Philippines) - Remigio (Bernie); Mario (Wilma); Danilo (Leonnie) and Gapan City Mayor Ernesto (Juanita); also by her numerous nieces and nephews - Francis, Vincent (Kristianne Jose Angelo), Ian (Joanne-Alex and Christian), Nino; Nadjah and Ellen, Chris, Adrian and Rafraf; Rhommel (Marinette-Kisha, Aine and KatKat), Maricel and Malou; her brother and sister-in-laws: Concepcion, Betty (Rodillo), Benito (Lydia), Boy Clarito (Venus) and Jessie (Elena) - Ramilyn, Marcos and Fausto; Mercie, Freddie (Nida), Emilyn, Nelson and Jeannie and their children; Walter, Daisy, Leah; Mellie, Dina and Karina; Boyet (Mercy), Ira, Mayvel, Clarence and Chris; Joy; Joel, Junjun and numerous relatives; step-sister in law, Consuelo (Ador) - Carol, Danilo, Cynthia, Del, Che-che (Chris - KC and Nathan) adopted sisters Lilia and Julie and especially she will be missed by her dearest friend, Rosario Falgui; and her godson and goddaughter, Marcel, Marjorie and family. Linda loved her family very much and proud of her sons; her brothers and their families; relatives and friends. Linda leaves behind a wide and diverse circle of friends, students and colleagues especially Larry and Tova Vickar. We shall miss her. As an educator, journalist, author, community leader and volunteer, she has touched many lives and has left her mark on virtually all aspects of community life - cultural, social, economic, sports, religious, political, educational and inter-cultural understanding. Her initiatives have resulted in empowering the community members, equipping them with knowledge, information and various skills as well as helping them access financial and other resources to make them active partners in determining the courses of their lives. Since their arrival in 1974, both husband and wife recognized the adopted country as a land of opportunity: both went back to the University of Manitoba. Linda was equipped with her psychology and education degree at St. Theresa's College (Manila); completed the academic requirements for her Masteral Degree in Psychology at the University of Santo Tomas; education degree at the University of Manitoba, major in English; minor, history; Pre-masters in Education-Psychology Program and PBCE program; Post Baccalaureate on cross cultural and adult education at the University of Manitoba. Instructor and psychometrist at Sienna College (Domincan Order); child and youth research under the office of the President; teacher under the Dept. of Indian Affairs; teacher under the School Division No, 1; language training consultant at Manitoba Education Training; ESL and open door education program ; independent interpreter and translator in Immigration and Appeal Board; School Division No. 1; Worldwide Interpretation/Translation Services (British Columbia and Ontario); examiner-Filipino Language Proficiency Test, GED coordinator; member-FERDC Manitoba Museum founder, publisher and editor in chief, Filipino Journal (Pulse of the Filipino Community) and Filipino Bride and Groom news magazine and a contributor for the Manitoba Encyclopedia. Community volunteerism became her passion: her involvement with the Citizen's Equity, Rainbow Stage, Celebrate Canada, RCMP, Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Rights, Folklorama, Philippine Heritage Council, Manitoba Advisory Council for Foreign Policy, Canadian Hunger Foundation, Winnipeg-Manila Sister City program, Western Canada Summer Games, Winnipeg Harvest, United Way, Cancer Care, Gawad Kalinga, Pangarap Foundation, YM-YWCA (International Development, NICFA; founding members Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM), Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers Inc (MAFTI), Institute of Philippines Studies; YM-YWCA Philippine International committee, University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association and Gapan Association of Manitoba; founder, MAFTI Rondalla, National Songfest (Manitoba). One of the twenty outstanding Filipinos in North America (Washington D.C.) and in Canada (Toronto); one of the 100 outstanding Filipinos in Canada; Queen's Jubilee, CEDA, City Hall on tourism and various Filipino associations awards. In 1995 she ran under the Liberal Party for an elective position in the Manitoba Legislature, placing second in the field of four candidates. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Victoria Hospital especially Dr. Maxwell who provided care and compassion. The Volunteers of God, headed by Joe and Alma Sevilla and countless friends, especially Jean Guiang and Fred de Villa, who have supported and have given strength to the family in so many ways. In keeping with Rosalinda's passion to preserving her cultural heritage, traditional Filipino funeral rites and customs are arranged throughout the week. Three funeral lamays are scheduled for Friday, March 14 at Knysh Funeral Chapel, 1020 Main St. at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, March 15 at St. Peter's Church, 748 Keewatin St. at 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, March 16, at Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM), 737 Keewatin St at 5:00 p.m. The funeral mass to celebrate her life will be held at St. Peter's Church with Msg. Enrique Samson Jr. on Tuesday, March 18 at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Assumption Cemetery, 3990 Portage Ave. A reception for family, friends and the community will follow the interment at the PCCM. Full details are available on www.FilipinoJournal.com A memorial fund is planned to continue Rosalinda's legacy of volunteerism and community involvement. Donations to the may be sent to the Cantiveros Family, 46 Pincarrow Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3Y 1E3. Mom, we climb the highest mountains; we walk together on the green grass, on sands and pebbles, even on hard rocks; we smell the scents of flowers along the way as we walk to the unthreaded path; we leave our footsteps on new snow; we measure the depth of the lake and sea; and we look up the stars together- wondering what is beyond; more than that, praying to be as humble children of God with forgiving heart; we travel far and meet countless people and become our adopted brothers, sisters and friends...We trace our beginnings and plan for our future...we have two sons - Ron and John - the Gifts from God - and our strengths; we start to work on our family tree...as Maya Angelou writes: No one comes from the earth like grass...we come like trees...we all have roots. The memories of our togetherness is an unending quest for human and spiritual wholeness...and having two gifted sons, you write to Ron and John:... the ultimate measure of a good parenting is bringing the children to the Lord - to make sure that they have faith to believe in and hope for. Knysh Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements: 1020 Main St. at Manitoba Ave. Phone: (204) 582-0973.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 11, 2008