Lydia Ocampo

It is with sadness and sorrow to announce the passing of our dear beloved Lydia Ocampo on June 16, 2025. She passed own her own terms and peacefully surrounded by her loving family.

Lydia is survived by her siblings Rogelio (Ising), Norma, Lilia (Rufino), and other brothers and sisters from Australia and Winnipeg. Lydia did not have children of her own however she had many nieces and nephews whom she cherished as if they were her own children and played an integral part in their upbringing. Lydia is predeceased by her father Simeon and her mother Maria as well as her brother Ernesto. To many, Lydia was a sister, Aunt, Godmother and Grandmother. Lydia was the matriarch of the family who kept everyone together and was respected by all. Lydia lived a simple and full life and brought joy to everyone around her.

Lydia was born on March 27, 1936, in Rosario, La Union in the Philippines. As the eldest of her siblings, Lydia assumed a maternal role in assisting in raising her siblings. She was selfless and toiled to ensure that her siblings were nurtured and provided for. Lydia completed high school and obtained an administrative assistance diploma. In 1971, Lydia left the Philippines and immigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba and was part of the first wave of Filipinos to establish a community in Winnipeg; this community would eventually become the largest Filipino community in Canada. Lydia came to Canada as a skilled seamstress where she worked until moving to Vancouver in 1990. In Vancouver, Lydia continued working as a seamstress before retiring in 2001. Retirement gave Lydia more time to spend with family, brought opportunities for travel all over the world and a devotion to maintaining beautiful plants and gardens, which was one of her life’s passions and favorite pastimes.

Lydia’s legacy on this earth was putting roots down in Canada to ensure that a better life for her and future generations could be attained. Since arriving to Canada, many of Lydia’s family members have come to Canada with her sponsoring and supporting them. There are multiple generations of Lydia’s family members who have thrived and succeeded; their success would not have been possible without Lydia deciding to step out of her comfort zone and working hard to establish herself in Canada.

A lamay (wake) will be held on June 22, 2025, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Ocean View Funeral Home, located at 4000 Imperial Street, Burnaby, BC. A Mass will be held in her honor on June 27, 2025, at St Jude’s Parish & Shrine located at 3078 Renfrew Street, Vancouver BC. Interment will follow at Ocean View Funeral Home, located at 4000 Imperial Street, Burnaby, BC.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Burnaby General Hospital and for the extra care and attention paid to Lydia ensuring her comfort in her final days. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia.