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CARMELITA GLORIA ANIS
Born: May 09, 1941
Date of Passing: Jun 28, 2026
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryCARMELITA GLORIA ANIS
Passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 28, 2026, in Winnipeg, MB. Carmelita was born May 9, 1941, in Mabini, Batangas, Philippines.
Carmelita (also known as "Lita") was married to Gem Medrano Anis for 62 years, having wed on January 26, 1964, at San Miguel Church in Manila. Carmelita, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, is survived by her beloved children - Omar (Tina), Jimmy (Amy), Marie-Anne (Jerry), and Rico (Sarah); grandchildren - Alex, Scott, Alora (Nolan), Tyler, Jason (Jonabelle), Kevin, Cassy, Cole, Javan, and Isla; and siblings - sister Zeny, and brothers Herminio, Arthur, and Manolo. She was predeceased by her parents, Pedro Gloria and Flora Calangi; and her eldest sister, Ophelia. She will also be fondly remembered by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends from around the world.
Carmelita attended Talaga Elementary and Mabini High School in her hometown, and earned her B.Sc. in Elementary Education, major in Home Economics, from Far Eastern University, Manila. She taught at Malimatoc Elementary School in Mabini and later transferred to Bangkal, Talon, and Pamplona Elementary Schools in Las Piñas, District of Rizal.
Long before her years of community leadership, Carmelita was known for her spirited charm - a chapter of her life she often looked back on fondly, having been crowned Miss Mabini High School 1958 Homecoming Queen and recognized as a pageant finalist in Miss Wife Beautiful and Miss Philippines World.
For many years, dance was also a passion of hers - she performed folk dances with the Rizalena Cultural Association and the Imelda Marcos Folk Dance Group, and later taught Hawaiian hula and Tahitian dance from her home studio in Philamlife Village, Las Piñas.
She immigrated with her family to Canada in 1976 and settled in Winnipeg, where she worked for 20 years until early retirement as a signature commission salesperson in Eaton's ladies' coat department downtown, where she met many dear, lifelong friends.
Carmelita befriended countless people throughout her life's journey and felt proud, yet humbled, to be chosen - more than a hundred times - as a "ninang" (wedding or baptismal sponsor). She enjoyed playing piano and guitar, and collecting elephant figurines for good luck. Winnipeg's Filipino community became like a second family to Carmelita. Over the years, she found purpose and connection through the Batangas Association of Manitoba, the Tanghalang Pilipino Folk Art Advisory Council, Magdaragat, Gandang Pilipina Inc., the Mabuhay Serenaders, the Ladies of the Knights of Rizal (Winnipeg Chapter), St. James Eight, the Cheerful Batangas Group, and Group A.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the Victoria General Hospital staff for their compassionate care, kindness, and support. Thank you also to our friends and relatives who came to visit Carmelita at the hospital, and to those who kept her in their thoughts and prayers from near and afar.
Above all, those who knew Carmelita often said the same thing: she had a remarkable gift for making people feel welcome, accepted without judgment, and truly seen. Her warmth, generosity, and unconditional love will remain forever in the hearts of her family and friends.
Visitation/Lamay: 7:00 p.m., Sunday, July 12, 2026, Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodière Blvd. Prayers at 7:30 p.m.
Funeral Mass: 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at St. Bernadette Parish, 820 Cottonwood Rd.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 11, 2026
