Maria Corazon (nee Abenoja) Simon

Peacefully on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at the age of 81 Maria “Cora” Simon passed away.

Cora was born in Naguilian, Philippines on May 26, 1941. She was the youngest child of Calixto and Damiana Abenoja. She attended the University of the Philippines for her pre-nursing and Baguio General Hospital for her nursing internship. Cora immigrated to North America in 1967. After a brief stay in the US, she soon moved to Canada where she met the love of her life Edgardo Simon. Here, they raised their two children and watched their family grow over the next 40 years, together.

Cora began her nursing career in Winnipeg at Misericordia Hospital and eventually transferred to Victoria General Hospital where she remained until her retirement (which took two tries!). The birth of her first grandchild brought her and Ed much joy. Cora loved hosting parties with her husband, line dancing in the park and gardening in the boxes and trellises that Ed had built for her. She had a real green thumb and loved her orchids, but her best known skill was her cooking. Her grandson’s would always ask her for their favorite dishes, and she even taught many of them how to cook, so the tradition will live on.

Cora had family ties across the world with her sisters in the Philippines and surviving brother and his family in California. She was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, auntie and friend. She will be deeply missed by her children, Melanie (Jason) and Edgar (Sharon), her grandsons Nathan (Vicky), Colin, Gavin (Alyssa) and Teagan, as well as her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces & nephews and great-great nephews and niece, along with many other close friends and family. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Archimedes, his wife Regina, and their daughter Mila, as well as her beloved husband Ed.

Lamay (viewing) will be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 6:30pm at Thomson “In The Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday May 26, 2023, at 11:00am at the St. Emile Parish 556 St Anne’s Rd, interment and reception to follow at Thomson “In The Park”.

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In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Cora’s Honour to the Victoria Hospital Foundation or the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.

“Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” – John 16:22.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.thomsoninthepark.com for the Simon family.