Obituary of SAN AGUSTIN

SAN AGUSTIN, Elenita del Rosario May 14, 1947 – Cavite City, Philippines March 19, 2015 – Calgary, Alberta A beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt and grandmother, Ellen passed away on March 19, 2015. She will be missed by so many. Elenita was born in Cavite City, Philippines. Her childhood was in the post war times of her devastated country. She grew up in a large family and learned the lessons of perseverance and hard work. A woman with a thirst for knowledge, she graduated with the distinct honours of graduating Summa Cum Laude in both her BSc. Pharmacy and BSc. Medical Sciences at the University of Santo Tomas and placed first in her national pharmaceutical board exam. Ellen immigrated to Calgary in 1974 with her husband, Oliver, and son, Patrick to start a new life. A young Filipina mother in Alberta in the 70’s, she always overcame the obstacles before her. She regularly commuted from Calgary to Edmonton for a year in order to receive her professional licence. She began working as a pharmacist at the Foothills Hospital before starting up her own business, the Dermatology Centre Pharmacy. During those years she had another son, Jon and received her MBA from the U. of Calgary. Her one and only love was her husband of 44 years, they grew together and never looked back. True adventurers, they travelled the world and went on several pilgrimages. Always challenging each other to make themselves better. The two of them were inseparable; they were loving partners who shared their lives as one soul. She survived the two devastating floods of her home in Elbow Park, always rebuilding with her husband. She fought a courageous battle with ovarian cancer, enduring 16 years of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Ellen enjoyed her coffee, she loved to golf and play Sudoku, she cherished all her family and she showered her grandchildren with love. She was a sensible and successful businesswoman, a faithful Catholic and a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Ellen had a special soul and tried to make a better life for the people she knew. The Lord has taken her back into His arms and she has gone on to her final journey. Let us honour her memory by continuing to live our lives as graciously and magnificently as she did. Left to keep her in their hearts are her loving husband Oliver; her sons Patrick (Marieke) and Jon (Kristine); her granddaughters Ava, Tia and Lea. Also left to honour her memory are her brothers Raul (Corazon) del Rosario, Teodoro (Nora) del Rosario, Fidel Jr. (Lorraine) del Rosario and her many family members from Calgary, Toronto, Seattle, Texas, Georgia, California, New York and the Philippines. She was predeceased by her mother, Peregrina (1983); her father Fidel (1966); and her brothers, David (1947) and Tomas (2005). A special thank you to Dr. P. Ghatage and the superb staff at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre for keeping her disease at bay for all these years. Another thanks to the excellent staff and residents of Unit 42 at the Foothills for taking care of her at the end. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive S.W. Calgary, AB) on Thursday, March 26, 2015 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (1307 – 14th Street S.W.) on Friday, March 27, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. with a visitation prior to the Mass starting at 2:30 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: 1 (866) 412-4222. www.albertacancer.ca/memorial. In living memory of Ellen San Agustin, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Calgary, AB, T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.