Obituary of ESTELA DR. VIOLAGO

DR. ESTELA OASAN FERNANDEZ VIOLAGO (October 7, 1932-December 3, 2015) Estela was born in Manila. Her family suffered tragedy during World War II, losing her father and two sisters. Her mother, Angelina, raised Estela and her older sister Priscilla afterwards, putting them both through medical school. Estela moved to America in 1956 for training in internal medicine, a daunting task by any measure. She was in residence at St. Luke's Hospital in St. Paul, MN when she met her future husband, Francisco, in 1959. They furthered their medical training at various hospitals in the United States, eventually marrying in 1962. Estela moved with Fran to Winnipeg in 1964, to raise a family and to complete training in anesthesiology at Winnipeg General Hospital. They were one of the pioneering Filipino-Canadian families in Winnipeg. Over the succeeding years she and Fran participated in and supported many activities and service organizations within the community. She practiced for over 20 years at the Misericordia General Hospital. Estela often administered the gas when Fran was operating. Estela was a long-time patron of the arts. She loved attending opera, ballet, and live theatre in Winnipeg and in locations where they travelled, such as Stratford, ON and New York, NY. She also developed a love of the visual arts, visiting museums and taking up oil painting and calligraphy herself after her retirement. Her religion was a strong comfort to her. She developed a special bond with the good Sisters of The Order of St. Benedict. One of her most treasured memories was of the pilgrimage she and Fran made with some of the Sisters to the Holy Land. Estela is survived by her husband of 53 years, Francisco, son David (Jennifer), son Eric, daughter Linda, nieces Rosario and Susan, grand-niece Melissa and child Tristan, and all Estela's extended family and dear friends, who know who they are. A private prayer service and viewing will be held, but all are invited to celebrate her life at a Funeral Mass that will be held on Tuesday, December 15, at 1:00 p.m., at St. Ignatius Church, 255 Stafford St., Winnipeg, MB, with a reception to follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Estela's name to The St. Benedict's Foundation Inc., 225 Masters Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R4A 2A1, (204) 338-4601.