Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Saskatchewan for funeral details
With her family by her side on May 15, 2024 at
the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg,
Manitoba, Canada, Clara Bataller, 88 years old,
peacefully departed this life and entered into the
loving arms of her Lord and Saviour.
It is with deep sorrow to let go of a selfless
woman who was the brave fighter, the strong
pillar, the moral compass, the spiritual guide, and
the loving mother of the family through its ups
and downs. It also meant letting go of a trusted
confidante, a supportive sister, a caring
grandmother with an infectious laugh, words of
wisdom to ponder and deep Catholic Christian
faith. Clara will be greatly missed, but her
inspiration and legacy lives on. Though Clara
may have left this world, her love, kindness, generosity, and indomitable spirit will forever
remain in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her. May she rest in eternal
peace forever with God.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of SICU (Surgical Intensive
Care Unit) and GA3 for the excellent and compassionate care Clara received. There will be a
viewing and funeral vigil on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Mosaic Funeral Chapel and Crematorium
from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am. On the day of the interment,Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 11 a.m, the
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church before Clara’s body is brought to the
Assumption Catholic Cemetery for burial and Rite of Committal. Reception follows – venue to
be announced.
CLARA’S LIFE: A Life of Self-Denial, A Life for Others, A Life of Faith in God
Clara was born on November 4, 1935 in her hometown of Busay, in the province of Bicol in the
Philippines. Her birth was registered to the town’s city hall on the 23rd of November, which
erroneously was recorded as her actual date of birth. Thus, greetings for her birthday come on
both of these dates.
Clara was the fourth child out of the thirteen children of the late Mariano and Gerarda. Growing
up in a large peasant family, Clara would do all she can to support and earn extra income for her
loved ones. She would sell vegetables and crops in the market, as well as sell bundles of large
leaves they gathered from up the mountain. Gathering the leaves to sell would entail sliding
down the dangerous slope of a mountain at times, wading on a chest high water level, and
crossing against the current of the river while carrying the bundle over her head. As early as the
young age of seven or eight, she, with her older sister Dolores, would go up the nearby mountain
to fetch water using the long, hollow bamboo pole as their pail, and carry it back, walking for
about one kilometer again on the way back. She would gather dry wood for fuel, then help
another farmer in harvesting rice where she would be paid a pail of rice for the family’s meal, a
variation from the usual cassava, sweet potato and other crops they’d normally have.
On weekdays, Clara walked for about 8 to 10 kilometers to go to school. She braved not just the
long arduous walk, but her fear of passing by the field she’d always dreaded to pass by- where a
lot of Filipino and Japanese men died in the ongoing war. Because of the war, and the family’s
needs, Clara decided not to pursue her elementary education and instead devote her time to
support her parents, to have food at the table, and to support her siblings so they can continue to
go to school.
At age 15, Clara ventured to go to Manila with her sister Dolores to work as babysitters for their
cousin’s children. Still needing extra income to support her parents and siblings left behind in
their hometown, Clara and her sister decided to sell vegetables in the market on the days when
they’re off from their work. She sent money back home for the family’s living expenses, her
siblings’ education, and as capital to buy more vegetables to sell. When Clara’s younger siblings
finished high school, they also moved to Manila to join them.
While selling at the market in front of a pharmacy, Clara met Keng Seng, a handsome Chinese
fellow, who is several years older than her. He pursued her wherever she went and showered her
with love and care. He was the love of her life, and she was the apple of his eyes. Eventually,
they started a family and ventured into businesses for their livelihood. They employed sewers
and seamstresses to sew baby dresses to sell. Clara, moved by her desire to help relatives, hired
and employed some of them to work for their business. They were blessed with seven children.
In 1973, Clara grieved over the sudden death of her fifth child, 10 year old Josel, from a
vehicular accident and the lack of justice from what had happened. The years prior and after this
tragedy were very difficult for Clara and the family, as once again, she was faced with supporting
a large family, raising her children, sending them to school, but with the family business losing
everything.
During these times of hardship, Clara would save every cent even to the extent of choosing to
walk several kilometers with a sack of melons over her head under the heat of the sun rather than
to spend a few cents to get a ride and pay for transportation. She used her entrepreneurial skills
to be able to buy and market her goods even without capital money to start with. She never gave
up, day and night, despite sweat and tears, and calloused hands and feet. She taught her children
to adapt, to work hard, to keep hoping, and to keep dreaming for a bright future. With her
children working alongside her, she managed to open and run a mini grocery store. In 1978,
another tragedy struck when Clara’s beloved husband passed away suddenly from a heart attack.
Clara found solace in her faith in God. Her active membership in St. Basil’s Charismatic Prayer
Group uplifted her spirit especially in times of trial. Because of Clara’s unwavering
determination, hard work, resilience, and faith in God, Clara managed to send every one of her
six children to school and complete a university degree from reputable universities. All
throughout, even during the most difficult years, she also managed to support extended relatives
who came and asked for help on financial matters, to seek temporary shelter, or support for their
children’s education. She never turned away any one and never kept even the few coins left in
her pocket from getting into the hands of the needy. She also never turned a blind eye toward a
stranger needing compassion. One such example was when Clara approached a young lady who
was out of her mind, being laughed at for dancing naked in the middle of the street. Clara talked
to her, calmed her down, clothed her, fed her, and brought her to the authorities at the National
Mental Hospital.
On October 5, 1991, Clara and her 3 children immigrated to Canada to join her daughter
Elizabeth and her husband. She worked as a casual babysitter for family friends, took care of her
grandchildren, and cherished trips across North America, especially to California where her
daughter Lilian resides. Clara also attended government sponsored English classes for new
immigrants to learn to communicate better in English. She would never miss any of her classes.
She enjoyed the camaraderie of everyone, including her teacher. At age 56, she loved
experiencing being in school once again, as well as the fun field trips they’ve been to. At the end
of each year, during the recognition ceremony for completion of the English level course, Clara
always felt so proud of her accomplishments.
Clara also became an active member of El Shaddai Prayer Group during their first few years in
Winnipeg and she has been a devoted member till the very end. Her Sundays were reserved for
Holy Mass, worship, and prayer meetings at the church. As much as possible, she faithfully
attended every event, and as well built a loving bond with its other members. She was well
loved and well known because of her care and compassion, listening ear, heart that counsels the
weary, jolly personality, beautiful face, and comforting smile. Even at her hospital bed during her
last few days, Clara never wavered on her faith. She believed that through prayers and through
the name of Jesus, she would find comfort, healing and redemption. She offered her pains to God
and trusted in His Divine Plan. Though hard of breath, she would pray and complete the rosary,
Divine Mercy Chaplet, and attend the online Mass with her family. She kept her Catholic Faith
and received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick before
she passed.
Clara’s sudden passing left a big void in everyone’s heart: her family, extended family, friends,
neighbors, and the hospital staff from A3 ward (where she stayed for about 3 weeks) who dearly
loved her wit and sweetness despite the pain she was going through.
It is with deep sorrow to let go of a selfless woman who was the brave fighter, the strong pillar,
the moral compass, the spiritual guide, and the loving mother of the family through its ups and
downs. It also meant letting go of a trusted confidante, a supportive sister, a caring grandmother
with an infectious laugh, words of wisdom to ponder and deep Catholic Christian faith. Clara
will be greatly missed, but her inspiration and legacy lives on. Though Clara may have left this
world, her love, kindness, generosity, and indomitable spirit will forever remain in the hearts of
those who were fortunate enough to know her. May she rest in eternal peace forever with God.
Wednesday May 15th 2024
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Saskatchewan
death notice Clara Casto Bataller Wednesday May 15th 2024
obituaries notice Clara Casto Bataller Wednesday May 15th 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Clara Casto Bataller Wednesday May 15th 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
