LAURA SALMINGO (Berghaus Group 1969-1972) PASSES AWAY

Andrea Salmingo
The Netherlands
April 7, 2008



(Berghaus Group-Kruitberg- 1969 - 1972, Social Worker: Ms. Aida Torrevilla)

Dear all,

Just to inform you that my younger sister Laura had passed away on Holy Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 11:30 a.m.

Cause of death : Generalized "SCLERODERMA" - is a rare condition where the skin gets thick and hard.

There are two main types of scleroderma. One type is localized, which affects mainly the skin and can also involve the muscles and joints. The other type, generalized, affects the skin as well
as the internal organs, such as the heart, lungs and kidneys.

The exact cause of scleroderma is not known. It maybe partly linked to a build up in the body of some chemicals or heavey metals. With scleroderma, the body's immune system stops
working properly.

According to my sister Marcie, Lau's heart start to give in to scleroderma as 911 medical
authorities tries to revive her for almost 45 minutes.

Her body was cremated last Wednesday, March 26th at 2:00 pm and the interment of her remains was done at Assumption Cemetery last Saturday, March 29th at 1:00 p.m.

Please pass this on to the people who knows my sister Laura, especially her Berghaus groupmates in Hollland.

Thank you so much for your love and support extended to Laura during her lifetime here on earth.

Take care......

Andrea Salmingo

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Eulogy:
Laura Salmingo
Delivered by Dolly I Magbitang

"Viewing Service" - March 22, 2008



The last time I spoke to Lau was last Tuesday afternoon, March 18^th. She phoned to ask how Jacqui was doing. This was further to a previous phone conversation we had on Sunday, March 16^th.

Thursday afternoon, I got a phone call from Marcy with a sad news that we have lost Lau.

I was shocked, but consoled myself thinking that at least she did not have to go through a prolonged suffering, that she spent her last moment in her own bedroom.

It dawned on me that her phone call was perhaps her own way of saying goodbye to me and Jacqui.

The next phone call I received from Marcy, was a request to prepare a eulogy.

Preparing a eulogy is the most daunting task, and this is the second time that I have to do this within less than 5 years. Both, for two previous employees of Berghaus B.V., The Netherlands, both previous long time residents of the Thorncliffe neighborhood, both services in the same location, and both were near and dear to my heart.

Daunting as it may seem, I thought that this is the best opportunity for me to be able to pour out what is in my heart, and share with you what I remember most about them.

But before I start, I just want to express my sincerest appreciation to Sally, and Nick, as well as an appreciation from the Salmingo Family. Your caring, and thoughtfulness have significantly enhanced the quality of Lau's life, more than you can imagine.

As well, with the permission of the family, I will send this eulogy to a Filipino Newspaper in The Netherlands, called Munting Nayon. Munting Nayon is in its 20^th year of publication, thanks to the tireless efforts of the couple Eddie Flores, and Orquid Valenzuela Flores, secretary of the late Ambassador to The Netherlands, Rogelio de la Rosa. This newspaper is widely distributed/circulated not only in The Netherlands, Canada, the Philippines,and U.S.A but Europe and other countries. They have dedicated a special section called The Berghaus Girls

Berghaus B.V. is a company in The Netherlands that employed hundreds of Filipinas from mid-60's to late 70's, each group, accompanied by a Filipino Social Worker. Laura, Lau as she was known by hundreds of friends, was one of the Berghaus girls.

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A TRIBUTE TO LAURA SALMINGO REPRADO


Has anyone of you met a person who has consistently demonstrated a very positive attitude in any given situation?

For some of us, no matter how much we try, there are times, when confronted with stressful and extreme challenging situations, we may inadvertently err.

Even the most experienced politicians or public figures, occasionally make inappropriate remarks, reactions, or comments inadvertently, that most often result in a significant loss of public support, and consequently are pressured to make a public apology.

Can you ever recall hearing or observing Lau in this situation? Lau, as Laura Salmingo Reprado was affectionately called by family members and friends, have never been, even remotely, in this predicament; even without exerting any effort – it just came naturally.

What is it that we remember most when we think of Lau?

During the short life of Lau, who passed away last Thursday, March 20^th, 2008, she has gained and acquired many hundreds of friends, friends who are now grieving the loss of a "one-of-a kind" person, a person who has shared and given so generously to anyone in need; shared and given her love, caring and support, without expecting anything in return.

Lau was one of the Berghaus Girls who worked in The Netherlands from 1969-1972. She was the youngest sister of two other Berghaus girls Andy and Marcy. Although she belonged to the Kruitberg Group, she was assigned to Kwartellaan 1, and later to Kwartellaan 2.

She was a very popular and well-liked employee of Berghaus, B.V., Ulft. Purple, her favorite colour, and her contagious laughter, followed by "aray ko", were some of her trademarks.

From The Netherlands, she came to Toronto and worked at The Toronto Dominion Bank, Bank of Montreal and Symcore.

She was a hard-working employee, devoted daughter, friend and confidante to family members and friends.

She has touched so many people's lives; she has enhanced so many of her friends's physical and emotional well-being; and most often than not, even at the expense of her health.

She was a person who never knew the word “no”. She spent an enormous amount of her time, money, energy and emotion, and never complained, such as driving to and from various locations and destinations; attending to friends's physical, emotional and financial needs, regardless of the challenges that sometimes accompany those activities, just to mention a few.

Lau is now in heaven and we are gathered here this afternoon at her funeral service . This is not the time to grieve her death, but it is our time to celebrate her life. She never wanted to see our tears. She wants us to be happy, so at this moment, let us all think back and remember how she touched our lives, how she made us laugh. We should be thankful that we were given the chance to have known such a great person named Laura. Let us cherish and remember those happy occasions she has shared with us - let us keep those fond memories in our hearts

Knowing Lau, and knowing how sad we are at this moment, she would convey to us her feelings through the following message, as aptly captured in this brief poem.

When I am gone, release me, let me go

I have so many things to see and do

You mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears

But be thankful, we had so many good years

It is now time I traveled on, alone

So grieve for a while, if grieve you must

Then let your grief, be comforted by trust

That it is only for a while, that we must part

So treasure the memories within your heart

I won't be far away, for life goes on

And if you need me, call and I will come

Though you can't see me nor touch me, I will be near

And if you listen with your heart, you will hear

All my love around you, soft and clear

And then, when you come this way alone

I'll greet you with a smile and a “welcome home”

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Note:

Lau's brother Ike Salmingo, has prepared a music composition for the above poem and sang the song at the second day of viewing on Sunday, March 23^rd, at the Blessed Edith Stein church service on Monday, March 24^th, and at the interment service on March 29, 2008.

Lau's cremation will be held on March 26^th and the interment on Saturday, March 29^th, at the Assumption Catholic Cemetery, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Please join me in praying for the repose of the soul of Lau.