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VIOLETA COCJIN MOORE
Date of Passing: Nov 05, 2021
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
VIOLETA COCJIN MOORE
Nursing skills opened the way for Vi to leave the Philippines and settle briefly in the United States and then in Canada. Artistic skills launched her into a second career as a visual artist. Travel counsellor training gave her a third career matching her curiosity to see the world.
Vi grew up in the town of Duenas in the Philippine province of Iloilo. She was the youngest daughter and second-last child of Matea Cocjin and Eduardo Miramon. As the apple of her grandfather's eye, she was showered with love. She learned early on that she was free to choose distant goals and pursue them confidently. She loved to say she could do anything she wanted under the heat of the sun.
Vi earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Central Philippine University in Iloilo City, practised and taught nursing for a couple of years in Manila then moved to Newark, NJ and then Detroit, Michigan for post-graduate training. She wept as her plane took off from Manila, feeling that she would never again see the land of her birth. She never returned.
As expiry of her student visa in the U.S. approached, Vi learned that Victoria Hospital in London, ON was hiring nurses and immigration to Canada was possible. She practised in London and at the Perley-Robertson Hospital in Ottawa. She met the love of her life, the newspaperman Terence Moore, at a Thanksgiving party in Ottawa in 1969.
After they married and moved to Montreal, Vi earned the diploma in visual art from the School of Art and Design at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The school encouraged her with numerous prizes and awards along the way. She set up a studio in the basement of their first house, a duplex, where she was also the landlady managing the rental suite upstairs. She took delight in her role as aunt to Zelda, Nel, Candy, Bing, Melvin, Mia, Alex, Megan, Oliver, Remy, Rommel, Randy, Pearl, Ernesto, Bobby, Melanie, Eddie and Eric, and their children.
When Terence's newspaper career brought them to Winnipeg, his native city, she set up a studio on the second floor of their River Heights home. She studied lithography and raku sculpture, and also branched out into paper collage. She worked alongside other Winnipeg artists at the Clifton Street Co-op and in the Portage and Main Press building at McDermot and Adelaide. She proudly signed all her work with the name Miramon. She exhibited her work annually in group shows and was encouraged by the sales that resulted.
She studied travel counselling, volunteered at the Age and Opportunity Bureau's travel agency as part of her training and was soon hired to manage the agency. When the agency was closed, she turned her full attention to painting and sculpture.
Vi sang in the alto section of the choir at Holy Trinity Anglican Church and in the Winnipeg Seniors' Choir. By the time the couple joined the congregation of St. John's Cathedral, dementia had begun to weaken her powers of memory and her attention span. She continued to take great delight in singing.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its lockdowns caused no inconvenience to the couple because they were happy to be left alone together in their last shared residence, a condo in the Ashdown Warehouse on Bannatyne Avenue. After a fall at home fractured her hip, the Health Sciences Centre got her back on her feet and sent her back home where she and Terence enjoyed a last few weeks together before her time ran out.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 13 at St. John's Cathedral, 135 Anderson Avenue. Due to Covid restrictions, attendance for guests is set for 54. Please register on Violeta's page at richardrosin.ca to attend. Double vaccinated guests are encouraged and masks are mandatory.
The service will be livestreamed through the YouTube page of the Cathedral (St. John's Cathedral Winnipeg), and will be available after the service at richardrosin.ca.
Richard Rosin
Funeral Director Ltd.
204-219-1126
richardrosin.ca
Publish Date: Nov 10, 2021
VIOLETA COCJIN MOORE
Arrangements are pending with longer notice to follow.
Richard Rosin
Funeral Director Ltd.
204-219-1126
richardrosin.ca
Publish Date: Nov 6, 2021
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 06, 2021, Nov 10, 2021
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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On behalf of the Kalen family, I'm so sorry to just now hear of the loss of this vibrant woman! Vi was a very, very good friend of my mother, Gloria Kalen, who shared space with her at the Clifton Studio and beyond! Although I only knew her through my mom, I know she was a good, faithful friend, and I have fond memories of Vi's laughter and remarkable optimism. Terry, I'm so sorry this little light of yours has moved on, but her memories leave reflections of a life well lived. - Posted by: Kalen Family (Friend) on: Apr 08, 2023
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It was my privilege to meet Vi through the Seniors Choir. Her many talents left me in awe of this beautiful woman. My condolences to you Terry . Vi was a woman of true "grace". - Posted by: Barbara GREEN (friend) on: Nov 22, 2021
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Dear Terry, So sorry to learn of the loss of your dear soul mate, Vi. I have such fond memories of her accompanying us when we would play at various venues in recent years. She was such a loyal and devoted fan of our little quartet. At our practices she could be heard humming along in the background to some of our more popular pieces. It was very endearing. She will be sadly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her as she was a very gentle, sweet and gracious lady. Our sincere condolences on your loss Terry. Rick and Michele Hemmerling - Posted by: michele and rick hemmerling (friends) on: Nov 14, 2021
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Terence, My heart aches for you. Vi was such a sweetheart. I have many fond memories of you and Vi in Minaki. She was always so cheery. I remember one day you had been visiting John and me and when you left, paddling back to your place you and Vi were singing and the sound carried across the water. It was beautiful. Lovely to read her life story such a clever, talented woman, she will be missed. sincerely, Peggy - Posted by: Peggy Smith (friend and admirer) on: Nov 13, 2021
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We have written to you, Terry, and add on this tribute site our deepest sympathy on the loss of Vi. Our friendship with you both began in our "salad days" when you lived in Ottawa and then in Montreal. Until most recent times, we have kept in touch though we haven't visited in many years. We will remember Vi as a seeker, a healer, a loving and unique presence. A talented and multifaceted artist, certainly. You should know that Vi's vibrant and huge canvas moved from our home to our daughter's living room in Toronto because she couldn't be without it. May memories of Vi as was her life be a blessing. - Posted by: JoAnne and Andrei Sulzenko (Friends) on: Nov 10, 2021
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