Virginia Petilla

Virginia was born on September 29, 1941, in Baguio City, Philippines. She became a Registered Nurse in 1963 and, in 1964, left the Philippines to begin her nursing career at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. In 1969, she moved to Montreal, where she would go on to build her life and family with Alberto Candoleta, whom she married in 1970.

Virginia dedicated more than 40 years to nursing at St. Mary’s, the Jewish General Hospital and Maimonides. For close to a decade, she owned and operated A Touch of Class, a small senior residence, where her warmth and dedication touched the lives of its residents and their families.

A woman of deep and unwavering faith, Virginia was a longtime parishioner of St. Kevin's Parish in Montreal and, later, Don Bosco church in Baguio City. Her faith carried her through every season of life, and she found, and shared, comfort, hope, and gratitude in both good times and hard ones.

Virginia was predeceased by her beloved husband, Alberto, and her brother, Patricio. She is lovingly survived by her daughters, Amelia (Carmelo) and Sharon (Marc); her cherished grandsons, William and Brandon; her siblings, Juanito and Esther; and many other family members and dear friends.

Virginia will be remembered for her strength, her generous heart, her hands-on love for her family, and her steadfast belief that faith could get you through anything. She leaves behind a legacy of resilience, devotion, and love that will live on for generations.