Carmelita “Patchu” De Mesa Ongkeko passed away peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday, July 12, 2016, after a brief but brave struggle with cancer. Carmelita was born on June 28, 1943, in Manila, Philippines, the second daughter of Dolores Ligaya and Jose Dames De Mesa.

Carmelita came from a long line of steel magnolias. Following the early and unexpected death of her father, Carmelita was raised in Manila, along with her sister, Dolly, by their mother, who was a strong, smart and independent businesswoman. Carmelita’s grandaunts, Valencia and Estang, who helped raise them, were also positive influences in Carmelita and Dolly’s lives. Both women were also strong, independent entrepreneurs.

Carmelita had a love for theatre and performing arts. She attended St. Paul’s College and earned her Bachelor of Science degree at the Philippine Women’s University. Throughout her school years, Carmelita acted in many plays and performed as a lead singer in bands. She loved singing and playing the guitar and piano.

She also enjoyed dancing. On May 5, 1962, she married her dance partner for life, Alexander Romulo Ongkeko. They never missed an opportunity to get dressed to the nines for a wedding or party and hit the dance floor. 1950s rock and roll songs were their favourites by artists such as Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis. Carmelita and Alexander immigrated to Canada in 1974, settling in Toronto, and together, they raised six children: Raymond, Maria Cielo, Dolly, Joyce, Ana and Charity. Throughout their new life in their adopted country, Carmelita and Alex surrounded themselves with a circle of close friends who became a second family to them. Their families enjoyed picnics, mah jong nights and vacations together.

Carmelita developed a thirst for information and love of the written word from her many years working as an administrator at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. She read books on different philosophies, new age thoughts, science and astrology and was always very curious about the world. She also enjoyed reading Dan Brown novels, biographies and became more engaged in political debates in her later years. Favourite biographies were of Elvis Presley and Bill Clinton.

Over the years, Carmelita used her baking and cake decorating talents to start a side business making cakes for weddings and other special occasions. Life just got too busy with 6 children and the baking was eventually for her family only. Memories were made with her orange chiffon cake and decadent chocolate cake with chocolate condensed milk frosting.

Basketball was a favourite sport of the entire family, and they loved to coach, play and watch it. For much of the year, the television was tuned in to NBA games or March Madness. She was a true Los Angeles Lakers fan.

Carmelita’s favourite things in her life were Coca-Cola, Tim Horton’s coffee, Woodbine and the “cha-ching” sound, game shows, family parties, her grandkids, friendships, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James—but not necessarily in that order. Carmelita’s not-so-favourite things were bingo, vegetables, and Shaquille O’Neal.

In her twilight years, Carmelita took up painting and enjoyed watching her seven grandchildren play and grow. Wanting them to remember their Filipino heritage, she would occasionally speak to them in Tagalog and teach them a few words.

Carmelita’s warmth and generosity will be missed most by her children Ray, Cielo, Dolly, Joyce, Ana, and Charity; their partners Tina, Joe, Dunstan and Mike; her grandchildren Alannah, Noah, Isabella, Mia, Alexandra, Nicolas and Ethan; her sister Dolly and brother-in-law Pat; her nephews and nieces Ferdie and Tessie, Gina, Joey, and Robbie and their families; and many relatives and friends.

And now they’re off … Carmelita and her beloved husband Alexander; their sons Reynaldo, Alexis and Christopher; their grandsons Matthew and Mark; and her parents Dolores and Jose … to enjoy the races in the sky.