Erlinda Cruz Bautista

Erlinda Bautista was born in Tarlac, Philippines on November 9, 1941 to Francisco Cruz Sr. and Angela Catajan. The family was comprised of 5 boys and 3 girls; of which she was the fourth eldest. Her siblings are Francisco Cruz Jr. (deceased), Ofelia Evangelista, Eliazar Cruz, Luz Cruz, Angelita Cruz, and twins, Benjamin and Conrado Cruz.

Erlinda finished her elementary and high school education in her hometown of Tarlac. After high school, she went to Manila and was admitted to the University of Santo Tomas, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Her graduating class was the first to graduate with a four year nursing degree. Prior to that it was a 2 year course. Because of her high academic achievement, Erlinda was hired by her alma mater to work at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital, where she worked for 2 years until she immigrated to Canada.

Her first nursing job in Canada was in Regina, Saskatchewan. After a year, she transferred to Drumheller, Alberta, where she worked for a month before moving to Edmonton, Alberta, where she would make her permanent home. In Edmonton, she worked at the U of A, Edmonton General, Charles Camsell, and Royal Alex Hospital, from where she retired. She became a head nurse at U of A but she far enjoyed the interaction with patients more and left her head nurse position.

Erlinda is survived by her husband, Nehemias Bautista; children, Kristopher (Sarah) Bautista and Kristina (Tony) Fuentes; grandchildren, JT Fuentes, Justus Bautista and Isa Fuentes.