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Mourning loss of young nurse, Virden first home

Theresa G. Ilagan
Ihya
Ma. Theresa G. Ilagan "Ihya"

A young woman who came from the Philippines to Virden as a nurse 10 years ago was the victim of a crash near Neepawa/Gladstone, between her SUV and an ambulance, Dec. 27, 2018.

Theresa G. Ilagan known to her friends as “Ihya” lost her life in a head-on collision, the three in the ambulance were also taken to hospital.

She was a beloved member of the Filipino community in Virden and a personal friend of Virden resident Menchu Santos.

In 2009 when Ilagan and four other young nurses came to Virden they were welcomed as much needed nurses for Virden’s health centre, having been sought-out by the ARHA recruitment team in 2008.

Cheryl Porter was active in helping these young immigrants to feel at home in Virden. Taking them under her wing she became like a second mother to them.

After initially working in Virden, Ilagan was married and nursing in Winnipeg at the time of her accident.

A post on Porter’s Face Book reads, “Saying goodbye for the last time will be so hard, she has accomplished so much in her life since she came to Canada. She was determined to start a business in Canada and bring [members] of her family that wished to come here. Ihya did exactly that. She married a wonderful man and had a son… on Dec. 27th God took her home to be with him in heaven.”

Celebration of Ilagan’s life began Jan. 10 – 11 in Winnipeg with a morning memorial service planned for Saturday, interment to follow.

The 36-year-old nurse leaves her husband and their three-year-old child.

RCMP Cpl. Julie Courchaine noted that at the time of the accident, visibility and road conditions were poor. 

 

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