Obituary of Roberta "Nanay" Paco

"Nanay" Roberta Paco, a long time resident of Dawson Creek, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on Thursday, July 7, 2016 in Dawson Creek at the age of 93 years. At 93 years old, Nanay lived a full life. She was blessed with 6 daughters and their partners, many grandchildren and great grandchildren, and even more extended family and friends. At the age of 69, she got the opportunity of a lifetime, to immigrate to Canada. And Dawson Creek, soon became her place of refuge where she has built relationships with so many wonderful people who are here today. Nanay faced life's challenges with strength and determination and was immensely grateful for life's many blessings. Nanay loved our dear father but had to endure his early demise. At 45 years old, she was left to raise six little girls with the youngest barely out of her crib. In the face of this adversity, she hunkered down, rolled up her sleeves and worked day and night just to make ends meet. This probably came with the realization that, despite her grief, there were tasks and challenges ahead that need to be faced to ensure our family's survival. Some of you may not know that Nanay was quite proud of her oratory skills. In her prime age, she was a re-known local poet and orator in the Philippines. She was often called to grace the coronation of the queen during town fiestas. Our memory of her will always be our loving, hardworking and industrious mother. A person who put her personal welfare and comfort aside to see us through the difficulties that comes with being a single parent. She was a grandmother that would do anything and everything for her grandchildren, and even great grandchildren. She was strong and dependable, a solid figure in all the uncertainty that life has thrown our way. She was the anchor that made us who we are, her daughters, today. Nanay is remembered by many as a person who was unassuming, straightforward and honest. She was perceived by some as too open and blunt and was admired by most as a person with nothing to hide and unmindful of people's pretenses and discomfort of the truth. Our honorary brother, Martin, related his observation of Nanay's ability to retain bits and pieces of information and piece them together to complete nicely woven tapestry. He attributes Nanay's sharpness to her genuine interest in people and their life stories. Martin described Nanay as "a woman of great strength and wisdom, with a heart full of love and caring. A person genuinely interested in people and their life stories and a memory as sharp as a tack. The woman who treated me like a real son." A childhood friend, whom we grew up with, in his message, said "she was a fine woman. I remember seeing her working hard so she can put food on the table while raising you all instilling discipline so you can turn out to be what you are now, all by herself. She is my model." Most of all, she will be remembered as the mother to all. That is why here in Dawson Creek, when people say Nanay, which means mother in our native tongue, they are usually referring to our mother. She would always offer food and drinks to her visitors. Nanay's house on 105th Avenue became a safe and welcoming place for temporary workers and new immigrants in Dawson Creek and the surrounding area. And people say they feel at home whenever they come to Nanay's house. Nanay touched numerous lives and served as inspiration to many. Perhaps, to most people who knew Nanay would remember two things: 1) her being a one-man woman because at 93 years old she remained faithful to our father; and 2) her wrinkle-free and smooth face which she attributed to her use of "Ponds" cold cream since the Japanese era. She could have been a genuine model of "Ponds". And to us, her family and extended family, it would be the love of family and appreciation of everything we have through thanksgiving and celebration. Nanay truly enjoyed cooking and entertaining people at home. I will never be able to adequately express the profound feeling of loss. But we are most certain Nanay is now with our beloved Creator. We will sorely miss you Nanay, but we will always cherish your memories and we will forever be grateful to God for the greatest gift we have received, that was having you as our mother. Until we meet again. Rest well, Nanay. Roberta is survived by her loving daughters; Marissa Thola, Aprilita Castillo, Restina Keller, Meraphy Papp, Florimar Paco and Alvi Macam. A prayer service was held on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 7:00 pm at the Notre Dame Catholic Church, Dawson Creek, B.C. A funeral mass was held on Wednesday, July, 13 2016 at 2:00 pm at the Notre Dame Catholic Church. Father Louis Kwena officiated. Interment followed in the Brookside Cemetery. Roberta's family would like to extend a warm thank you to Dr.Pilgrim, The Palliative Care Nursing Staff at the health unit, Father Louis Kwena, The Catholic Church Choir, Pauline and Yvonne from the Notre Dame Catholic Church, and to Reynars Funeral Home for all of their compassion and the beautiful service for our mother. Also to all the friends and family from near and far who shared the day with us. Words cannot say how much your presence meant to our family. Thank you all so very much. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium Prayer Service 7:00 pm Tuesday, July 12, 2016 Notre Dame Catholic Church 908 104 Avenue Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada Funeral Mass 2:00 pm Wednesday, July 13, 2016 Notre Dame Catholic Church 908 104 Avenue Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada