Obituary of Conchita Apiado Richard (nee: Trinidad)

After 81 years, our extraordinary mom passed away peacefully at St. Boniface Hospital. Mom is survived by her husband Gerry; children Melanie (Gord), Melodie (Alain) and Lloyd (Ali); grand-children, Malaya, Raina, Maëlle, Elliott and Asher; and siblings Lilia, Ester, Zenaida, Luis, and Nilo. She was predeceased by her parents Luis and Benita, and brothers Gil and Dario. Mom lived life to its fullest and loved wholeheartedly. She was known for her infectious laugh, intelligence and determination, angelic voice and her famous eggrolls. Everyone who met her was struck by her warm, generous nature and spirited personality. Born and raised in Bulangao, Pangasinan, Philippines, mom earned her nursing degree with honours at the Philippines Women’s College before moving to Philadelphia in 1963 to work in the Exchange Visitors Program. In 1965, she embarked on a new adventure to work as one of the earliest Filipino nursing professionals in Winnipeg, helping to fill Manitoba’s shortage. Over her decades-long career, mom worked at Misericordia and St. Boniface Hospitals, as well as three nursing homes. She earned further nursing credentials in management, and retired as Head Nurse and Infection Control Practitioner at West Park Manor Personal Care Home in Winnipeg. She was very active in the Catholic church community as a parishioner, choir member and catechism teacher at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and later, St. Paul the Apostle. Mom was a lifelong learner and enjoyed music and performing arts. She sang and she danced, and she found joy in the simple things. Mom was devoted to her three children, whom she loved more than anything. We are eternally grateful for your love, resilience, curiosity, and kindness. Our irreplaceable mom was one-of-a-kind, and will always be lovingly remembered. Due to Covid-19, a private funeral service was held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help on July 17, 2020. Interment will occur at a later date. A special thanks to Elizabeth Pontanos and the staff at Riverside Lions Supportive Housing for keeping mom smiling and dancing in her final years. Thank you for taking great care of “Nanay.”