Ms. Catalina Panlilio Trinidad

It is with deep sadness and great sorrow that we share that our beautiful, strong, fun, sweet, fiercely independent and loving mom Catalina Panlilio Trinidad, 83 passed away on Monday, May 5th, 2025, in New Westminster, BC, Canada.

Affectionately known as “Lina”, “Cata” or “Mama T” was born on August 2nd, 1941, to Magdalena (née Panlilio) and Buenaventura Trinidad in Quezon City, Philippines. A graduate from the Espiritu Santo Parochial School in 1957. She had a love of learning earning an Associate of Commerce Degree from the Philippine College of Commerce in 1959 and Bachelor of Science Degree from the Far Eastern University in 1964.

She worked for Helene Curtis in the Philippines. She had a very independent, adventurous, and fearless spirit choosing to move to Ho Chi Minh City in 1966 where she worked for several years with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In 1968, her son Martin Trinidad Bersabal was born but sadly passed away only after one month (April 20 – May 18) due to medical complications. She had 2 daughters in 1969 & 1970 respectively. As the war was coming to an end in Vietnam she was forced to return to the Philippines. During the evacuation, her youngest daughter’s eye was injured. Without medical intervention, there was a chance of permanent eye damage or eye loss.

In 1974, she made the heartbreaking decision to leave her two daughters to immigrate to Canada to access better medical assistance for her youngest. Her daughters later joined her in 1977. In Canada, she continued her education obtaining a Special Certificate in Finance from BCIT in 1985 and several certificates from the Treasury Management Association of Canada in 1993 and 1997, respectively. She worked at TeckCominco as a Cash Management Specialist, retiring after 27 years of service.

She is survived by her two daughters Karenina Trinidad and Gwen Leland (née Bersabal) and son in law Micheal Leland. She was a force to be reckoned with but at the same time had a heart of gold. When she loved you, she loved you with her full heart and would have done anything for the people she loved. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

As a single mom, she was the epitome of love, kindness and strength. She was resilient, selfless, resourceful, determined, and self-sufficient. As the sole provider and caregiver, she made countless sacrifices to ensure her daughters had the best opportunities to thrive. She was our positive role model teaching us the values of caring, hard work, independence, compassion, perseverance, and humility. To not give up… to face challenges head on… to do better and be better.

She loved dancing, music, singing and playing the piano. She loved hosting Homestay students from countries all over the world such as Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and Italy. She treated each one of her students like one of her own. She had an open heart and open home.

She loved her community, and loved volunteering at St. Peter’s Church, Queen’s Park Care Centre, Royal Columbian Hospital, New Westminster Police Service, and teaching adults to read. She maintained a deep connection to her Filipina roots and culture by volunteering with numerous Filipino Associations. She once wrote… “Volunteering enhances my life. The feeling of helping people is immeasurable. When I reach out to others, it feels awesome and uplifting. Volunteering is priceless.”

Above all, she loved God and her faith. As a single mom, she endured many ups and downs and relied on her faith to get her through the tough times.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 28th at 7:30pm at Forest Lawn Funeral Home; 3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby. A funeral Mass will be held on May 29th, 10:00am at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church; 330 Royal Avenue, New Westminster. A burial will follow at 12:00pm at Mountain View Cemetery - City of Vancouver; 5455 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC. A reception will be held after the burial at Mountain View's Celebration Hall at 1:30pm

As Catalina was a long time supporter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation we ask that Memorial Donations can be made in her name; Catalina Trinidad in the link below, Thank you.