Lourdes B Celeste

Lourdes Celeste, 95, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2022. She was born on May 4, 1927 in Cabalian, Southern Leyte, Philippines, to Felisa and Narciso Bolocon. Her early life was spent in her province with her parents and her 3 siblings. After her high school graduation, Lourdes moved to Manila, Philippines and was educated in the art of dress making, a skill she would use to create her own fashions and her children's clothing. In Manila, she reconnected with her classmate from Cabalian, Dominador Celeste, and the two married on March 22,1952. Together they had five children and while her husband often traveled abroad to support their family, Lourdes took charge at home and started her own business. Her Sari-Sari store (a convenience store in the Philippines) was a success during a time when it was rare for a woman to have her own business. Her hard work allowed her family a comfortable life and full education for each of her children. Lourdes also helped many people from her home province by providing them housing and guidance when they moved to Manila to find better opportunities. Her tenacity and her natural leadership earned her the nickname “Commander”.

In 1987, Lourdes and Dominador moved to Victoria, BC, where they enjoyed the last decades of their life as proud Canadian citizens. Lourdes had a full life in Victoria as she helped raise her many grandchildren and also served as a Treasurer for the local Filipino association, passionate about Filipino unity and the celebration of Filipino culture.

Lourdes enjoyed spending time with her soulmate Dominador, spending time with her family, the occasional visit to the penny slot machines, and tea time with warm Timbits. Her family will remember her signature red lipstick with matching red nails, her beauty, her social and happy spirit, her strength, her courage and her endurance.

She is survived by her children, Lilibeth and husband Andy, Harry and wife Jessica, Randy and wife Amie, Rebecca and husband Antonio and her youngest daughter Dinah; grandchildren, Abbey, Kristen and her husband Matt, Anna and her husband Bart, Alyssa and her husband Jay, Micaela and her husband Paolo, Ryan, Martin, Clarice, Luisa, Andrea, and Angela; and great grandchildren, Mickayla, Sienna, Harvey, Archer, and Ella.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Cross Church, 4049 Gordon Head Road, Victoria, BC on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 10:00 am.