<div itemprop="description">Our beloved Maria Mabasa Bangalan passed away peacefully on July 30, 2024, at the Jewish General Hospital after a short illness with gallbladder cancer. She was surrounded by her family who loved her deeply. She was 90. <br> <br>Maria, together with her now deceased husband, Pedro, was married for 53 years and has raised now adults and surviving children, Andrew, Bernard, Carol (Mike), Diane, Edward (Jo), and her lone grandson, Mason. She had a sheltering and strongwilled presence in her children’s lives. <br> <br>Born in Roxas City, Philippines on March 4, 1934, she and Pedro were teachers until they immigrated to, and lived in Montreal, Canada for the rest of their lives.She clerked at Zellers for three decades. After her early retirement, she dedicated most of her time attending masses and many times as an altar server. She was a steadfast pillar of several religious groups and led different chapters of the Our Lady of Fatima Group, was a Secular Franciscan (OFS) of the St. Anthony Fraternity and a member of the Seniors of the West Island and Suburbs (SWIS) where she formed very close bonds with members of all these groups. <br> <br>A woman of unshakeable faith, Maria found solace and inspiration in her bible study group and ardent devotion to Mama Mary and St. Anthony of Padua. Her family often heard her say, “Let’s pray the Rosary!” One of her greatest hopes as a parishioner of Mary Queen of Peace Church in Pierrefonds, Quebec was that one day it will be elevated as a catholic shrine. <br> <br>She will be fondly remembered as a devout, generous and a stubborn woman who never backed down from the truth as she saw it. She will be missed dearly by her friends and family in Canada, the U.S. and the Philippines. Her farewell message to us was “To seek God in times of distress, thank God in times of joy, and trust God that He will save you.” <br> <br>Upon Mom's request, flowers won't be necessary. <br> <br>Visitations are scheduled on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at the Rideau Funeral Homes, 4275 Sources Blvd, Dollard-Des Ormeaux, Quebec H9B 2A6 from 2:30-4:30pm and 6:30-8:30pm. The end of the 9-day novena for the departed and a Franciscan wake service starts at 7pm. <br> <br>NOTE: Please do not bring any home cooked dish or dessert despite our Philippine custom and tradition. Rideau will not allow them to be served on the premises for safety measures. Refreshments will be served. <br> <br>Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 10:30am in Mary Queen of Peace Church at 11075 Boul Gouin O, Pierrefonds - Roxboro, QC H8Y 1X6. We will then go back to Rideau Funeral Cemetery for her burial followed by a catered lunch in the Rideau Reception Hall.</div>
