LEONILA C. BAILON

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LEONILA C. BAILON January 17, 1941 - August 31, 2009 It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Leonila C. Bailon on August 31, 2009 with her loved ones by her side at Riverview Health Centre. She succumbed after a courageous battle with cancer at age 68. Lay her in the earth; And from her fair and unpolluted flesh May violets spring. Shakespeare Left to cherish Leonnie's memories are her mom, Francisca Raymundo; her sister, Linda Bond; her half-brothers and half-sisters: Ponciano (Victoria) Raymundo, Rosemarie Palma, Cesar (Michelle) Raymundo, her brothers-in-law, Alfonso Chua, Manuel (Dobie) Raymundo, Jose Raymundo, and Steve (Rose Ann) Raymundo; her nieces and nephews: Allan, Bobby and Carol Quiroga, Simon Bond; Edith Villegas, Arnold, Wilma and Marivic Raymundo, Emmy, Belen, Elvira and Jing Palma; Shayla, Maya and Tyson Raymundo; Malou and Marlo Chua; Monique Raymundo and numerous relatives and friends in Winnipeg, United States, and the Philippines. Leonnie was predeceased by her father, Rodrigo Bailon; her sister, Marilou Chua and Lydia Raymundo; and brother-in-law Pedro Palma. Leonnie was a very loving and devoted daughter, sister, auntie/tita who always put her family first especially for her mom. Love between Leonnie and her mom is the greatest gift of life. A Mother's Love! If there be one thing pure, Where all beside is sullied, That can be endured, When all else passes away: If there be aught Surpassing human deed or word, or thought, It is a mother's love. Marchioness de Spadara Leonnie was a consummate writer, artist and lover of nature. She wrote verses with a passionate élan. Each word in her poem expresses love and happiness and hope. Two of her poems were selected and published in the USA Nature's Echo. Her latest book on the Filipino immigrants with other co-writers expounded her dedication to bring the history into a visual focus. As a visual artist, she transformed even a minute subject into a kaleidoscopic intensity to express life in motion. As collector of artifacts, Leonnie's attachment to the Filipino cultural heritage was full of dedication. Leonnie loved nature: she travelled with her friends to the lily festivals, garden shows and exhibits. Her communication with nature gave her the inspiration and strength of being a traveller to other cities in North America and in the Philippines. Her love of gardening had become one of her passions. Considered with a green thumb, her garden has become an explosion of colours. As a fashion designer, Leonnie had reached the pinnacle of colour coordination with artistic license; and Leonnie's passion for Filipino gowns (terno) reached when made and collected the evolution of Filipino fashion. Her Filipino dolls were meticulously made and displayed. Leonnie was an avid reader of various subjects and disciplines. Volunteerism had become a glowing achievement of Leonnie. Her generosity of time and space had given her a wider understanding of other people's needs and wants. Since she arrived from the Philippines, she had been involved with the Philippine Folk Dance Ensemble now the Kayumanggi Philippine Performing Arts of the Philippine Association of Manitoba. She danced and she designed all the costumes. Being a cultural display director, Leonnie was able to display the Philippine's culture and its people during many Folkloramas at the PAM's Philippine Pavilion Nayong Pilipino. She had touched many people from within the community and in the mainstream: she worked as Quality Control worker in a fashion industry and in Athlete's Wear; she devoted her energy as an IWAM volunteer coordinator, and before her sickness she was a Volunteer Program Coordinator at the NEEDS Centre. Her association with her friends extended even to help her friends at the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba Inc. (PCCM) where she worked with passion to bring the best of the Philippine heritage and culture. She had received many awards from the different associations. She served as an Ambassador at the Folklorama's Philippine Pavilion Nayong Pilipino and was the recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for volunteerism. Indeed, whenever you needed her, she was there for you. The truly generous is truly wise. And he who loves not others, lives unblest. Horace The family would like to thank the medical, nursing and staff at Riverview Health Centre, Health Sciences Centre and CancerCare Manitoba; Fr. Gerry McDougall, S.J., Mons. Enrique Samson, Jr. and the close friends of the family like Virginia (Jean) Guiang, O.M., Rod Cantiveros, Rose Falgui, Cris Aglugub, and the numerous friends and relatives who have shared with their loss. The pallbearers include Rod E. Cantiveros, Cris Aglugub, Ben Clarete, Gilbert Pagtalunan, Dado Cuaresma, Oscar Surla, Nestor Collao, and Ivor Chee-A-Tow. Lamay will be held on Thursday and Friday, September 3 and 4 from 6:00 p.m. until 12:00 midnight at Thomson In the Park Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. Funeral mass will be held on Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ignatius Church, Stafford at Corydon, presided by Fr. Gerry McDougall, S.J., followed by interment at Queen of Heaven's Mausoleum, Assumption Catholic Cemetery on Portage Avenue. Love is a passion Which kindles honor unto death. Dryden Thomson In the ParK 925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 03, 2009