Visitacion "Bessie" Vivas Cabrera

Bessie will be missed deeply by her children: Carmela (Memo), Joe (Vivian), Dan (Connie), Marilou (Graham), Paul (Rachael), and Chris (Rachel); numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild; her sisters Melinda and Felicitas; numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends. Bessie was predeceased by her husband Leonardo, her parents and brother Romie (Carmen).

Bessie was born on January 22, 1937 to Bonaventure and Epifania Vivas in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines, the oldest of four children. She was proud to have attended the University of Santo Tomas in Manila and graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Home Economics. It was there that she met her husband, Leo. They were married February 27, 1960 and had six children.

In 1971 Bessie and Leo immigrated to Canada, landing first in Toronto, Ontario, where Bessie soon gave birth to her youngest child, Chris. A few years later they moved their family to Calgary, where Bessie lived for 44 years.

Bessie had an incredible work ethic, beginning work at her mother’s market business in the Philippines at the age of 7. She worked through university at her boarding house in Manila, and following graduation taught home economics. In Toronto, Bessie started as a medical records clerk, forecasting her eventual retirement as a health records clerk with Alberta Health Services. Bessie always worked multiple jobs to provide for her large family – whether it was shining as a saleswoman (life insurance, Bestline, Tupperware), sous-chef (The Westin), and cook/baker (filipino food and beautiful cakes).

Bessie was utterly devoted to her family, who were her greatest source of pride and joy. She was always ready to help with whatever they needed and enjoyed sharing her love through food. “What shall I cook for you?” is a question everyone knew well, often answered with requests for her coveted Filipino egg rolls. Until the end, Bessie loved to visit with her family, especially enjoying spending time with the kids.

Bessie was a devout Catholic and centered her life around her faith. She was a dedicated church volunteer, helping with Adoration, Eucharistic ministry, picking up the host and wine, church linens, bread ministry, and prayer groups. Bessie was a member of Corpus Christi Parish, but was known at most Catholic churches in the city as she found her way to different daily masses and prayers.

Bessie loved to travel and saw much of the world on vacations and pilgrimages. An especially memorable trip was to the canonization of Pope John Paul II in Rome in 2014.

Bessie was deeply kind and generous to everyone she met. Her memory will be cherished by extended family and friends, whose lives she touched with her kindness and warmth.

Bessie will be laid to rest with her husband in Queen's Park Cemetery.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Bessie’s care team at St. Teresa Covenant Care and the Alex Health Centre.

“Be not afraid, I go before you always. Come follow me, and I will give you rest”.

A Prayer Service will be held at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL (3220 4th Street NW, Calgary AB across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 7:00 P.M.

A Funeral Mass will take place at CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH (404 Northmount Place NW, Calgary) on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. All are welcome.