Obituary of Ester Tidalgo VERGARA

June 10, 1929 – Banza, Butuan City, Philippines 
October 1, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

One thing can be said about our mother, grandmother, sister, and friend - Ester Vergara, she cannot be rushed. She marches to her own beat and only moves when she is ready. One day God saw fit to call her home, and she decided, at the age of 91, that she was ready to go. And so, on Thursday, October 1, she passed away peacefully in her Calgary home and was soon reunited with her heavenly family, our beloved father Rodolfo (Rudy) and those friends and family that had gone before her.

Born in the community of Banza, Butuan City in the Philippines, Ester was a curious child, always eager to learn. She was educated in Manila and earned her Masters Degree in Library Science. Yes, records management is fun! She put her skills to good use working in the central library in Manila.

In 1973, Ester, husband Rudy, and their two little girls immigrated to Canada and settled into a comfortable life in Calgary. For nearly 20 years she worked at the Calgary General Hospital as a unit clerk and a surgical instrument processor.

Ester’s greatest passion came in the form of volunteer work. She was always drawn to helping the under dog. She started by representing the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) at the hospital. Later, she emersed herself in helping residents from her village in the Philippines. Her desire to lift others up burgeoned into her forming the Philippines Rural Economic Social Assistance Foundation (PRESAF) and the Maya Foundation. For over 30 years, Ester and countless volunteers worked tirelessly to raise funds for livelihood projects in rural communities throughout the southern Philippines. She always said, “I was born to serve the Lord,” and that she did.

As for those two little girls who immigrated with Ester and Rudy, they’re grown women now. Ester is survived by her two daughters and two sons-in-law: Elizabeth and Jean-Claude Olivier, Maria and Dennis Needham, and three grandchildren: George, Olivia, and Harrison Needham. To us she was the constant thread that ran through our lives, our connection to the past and our foothold in the present. We marvelled at her lion-hearted determination and fearless independent spirit. She was our matriarch, unwavering in guiding us in her deep Catholic faith. She built our foundation and kept it steady and strong, and for all of it, we will always be grateful.

Ester is also survived by her two brothers and their respective families: Tigs Tidalgo (Calgary) and Bernabe Tidalgo (San Jose, California). There are also numerous nieces and nephews living in the Philippines. Her legacy lives on in our hearts and in the hearts of those who knew her.

Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Eastside Memorial Chapel - 5388 Memorial Dr NE, Calgary, AB) on Thursday, October 8 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Cathedral (219 – 18 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB) on Friday, October 9 at 10:30 a.m. Graveside service to follow at Mountain View Memorial Gardens.  

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Ester’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Ester, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Eastside, 5388 Memorial Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2A 3V9, Telephone: 403-248-8585