Delia Barbiera Marican

Delia Marican, loving mother, grandmother and community contributer of Kamloops BC passed away peacefully at home on August 17th at the age of 90 with her loving husband Abdul Rahim Marican close by her side. Delia struggled for several years with injury and age health related issues. As with any challenge in her life, Delia managed this struggle with great faith, kindness and strength.

Delia was born on Nov 6th 1935 and raised in Moalboel, Cebu Philippines surrounded by a large close knit extended family. Although not wealthy, the land and sense of community in her small town provided all that was needed. Many of her fondest memories are of playing in the beautiful beaches of Moalboel and wearing her finest Sunday clothes to Mass and fiestas to celebrate religious occasions including carolling at Christmas. Delia attended high school in nearby Cebu City and in 1955 began her Bachelors of Science in Education at the highly regarded University of San Carlos which she completed in 3 years with honours.

Delia worked two jobs after graduating to help support her siblings and it was at her position as a nursing school librarian she learned of the opportunity to work in Canada. After long negotiations with her parents they pushed through their fears and gave her approval to move to Canada. Delia arrived in Vancouver on September 15th, 1964 and began the process of learning how to navigate and overcome the challenges in adjusting to Canada. She was unable to land a teaching position at first with the reason provided that her accent was too strong and found herself an office job at an engineering firm.

In 1966, Delia married her life partner Abdul (Kim) Marican and they decided to move to Kamloops for better teaching opportunities and Delia was able to land an Elementary teaching position at OLPH Catholic school until her son Idris was born in 1968. Delia returned to work as a Librarian at Cariboo College and in 1975 decided to begin her career as a businesswoman running one and then two convenience stores – many remember stopping at Dolly’s store for a treat.

During the 1980’s and into the 90’s Delia was an active volunteer and community leader in advocating for support for new people to Canada. Delia worked with Kamloops Race Relations, Kamloops Immigrant Services and Kamloops Multicultural Society where she served as a Board member and was invited to contribute at the provincial level. Delia valued inclusion and the acceptance of immigrants and found great joy in this work of helping others.

Delia was predeceased by her parents Enrique and Juliana Gador, brothers Vicente, Ruben, Jesus, Danielito and is survived by her husband Abdul, brothers Tim and Romeo, sister Carmelina, son Idris and daughter-in-law Sharlene, and grandsons Denzel and Xavier.

The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, September 4th at 11am at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Kamloops, BC. For those wishing to attend virtually, you can view the livestream by clicking the link here:

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=5abc7f8c-17ce-4d7e-9487-1cfb8c4bc057