OBITUARY - MIRIAN CATALAN BRAY
By Andrea (Andex ) Catalan-Laygo
Sacramento, California
October 30, 2019
Mirian Catalan Bray was born on February 19, 1937 in Panitan, Capiz, Philippines. She grew up and was schooled in the Philippines. She completed high school at the La Consolacion College in Bacolod City, then moved to Manila to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at the University of Santo Tomas.
She attended masteral studies at the same university while working at her first job as a social worker at the Office of the Philippine Red Cross, where she learned to hone and refine her skills as Events organizer, fund raiser, rescue volunteer while performing all the necessary duties involved with assisting people from all walks of life. Through sheer determination, indefatigable spirit and unbridled enthusiasm to help and inspire people, she became the ideal Social Worker personified!
Besides acting as representative and liaison between the two governments of the Philippines and the Netherlands, her day-to-day duties as social worker included managing and safeguarding the special needs of “her girls” --living with them, and being not only a wise and compassionate counselor but also a knowledgeable and inspiring guide, staunch companion, faithful friend, and beloved surrogate mother to all. In October 1969, she returned to the Netherlands with a new contingent of 50 girls, this time to work and reside until November 1972 in the beautiful, bustling city of Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands. Long after their work contracts ended, Mirian got her reward and supreme joy in the abiding love and loyalty of her girls. Throughout these years until her recent passing, that special bond stayed unbroken.
Mirian was preceded in death by her husband Charles, who passed away four years ago. She is survived by her brothers Manolo and Leny, younger sisters Andex and Chuchi, stepdaughter Sharon, cousins, nephews, and grandchildren.
Charles and Mirian Bray left provisions to support and provide the needs of the Word of Life Baptist church in Botolan, Zambales, Philippines.
Acknowledgement
The Family would like to thank each and everyone for being with us during this difficult time. Your thoughts, prayers, love and support are deeply appreciated.
Author: Andrea “Andex” Catalan-Laygo, Sacramento, California
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KRUITBERG GROUP TRIBUTE TO MIRIAN CATALAN-BRAY
Amsterdam Berghaus Kruitberg Group
October 29, 2019
Our beloved Social worker of the Berghaus Amsterdam Kruitberg Group and the First Berghaus Gendringen group passed away peacefully on October 26, 2019 at the age of 82 years.
Mirian or also known to the groups as Mommy Catalan or Manang Iyang came to the Netherlands in 1966 as the Social worker for the First Berghaus Gendringen Group, she stayed in Gendringen and after three years she returned to the Philippines, only to return to the Netherlands again on October 29, 1969 this time leading the Berghaus Amsterdam Kruitberg Group. During her stays in the Netherlands she did plenty of travelling with the group. Places like Spain, Rome and Paris are some of them.
When the Amsterdam Kruitberg group left the Netherlands in November 1972 after they completed their three-year contract, Mommy landed in Toronto where she settled down. She met the love of her life Charles Bray and was happily married.
Over the years the Kruitberg Group remained in close contact with Mommy and the group was very fortunate to have Mommy and Charles attend their 40 year reunion in Winnipeg in July 2012. Living in Peterborough, Ontario for several years and like retirees do, Mommy and Charles moved to North Port, Florida for their retirement years and lived their as they call it “Happily after”. Charles or Daddy Charles as the Kruitberg group called him, passed away in 2017 and Mommy stayed in their home in North Port, Florida. She recently decided to sell her home and move to a beautiful senior residence in North Port. Due to her health she was unable to attend the 50 Year Amsterdam Kruitberg reunion in Winnipeg this past August. Through the help of her niece she did send a message to the group which was read at the reunion dinner and she also send a video message to the Kruitberg group which we were able to view. In return the members of the Kruitberg group that were present for the reunion made a video for Mommy with each of them saying their individual message.
One of the Kruitberg members from Toronto (Dolly Bautista – Greco) who was at the reunion in Winnipeg and two weeks after the reunion would be travelling to Orlando - Florida, the group still had the opportunity to speak to Mommy in late August. Thanks to Dolly, her brother Larci and his wife Lisa, they drove from Orlando to North Port and made a surprise visit to Mommy. Dolly and Mommy her Apo Jade, mentioned that for Mommy to be able to see the video message made her very happy. What even made her happier was the fact that while Dolly was in North Port the Winnipeg Kruitberg Group was able to have a group chat with Mommy. Being able to have this live chat with group members was one of the happiest moments in her life. There was even talk among the Winnipeg group to visit Mommy in 2020 in Florida. Unfortunately, this now won’t become a reality.
Mommy, being our Mentor and our Mother, the Love, the Guidance, the Support, the Friendship and understanding you have given the group will be remembered forever and your memory will remain in our hearts. We will think of you always.
WE LOVE YOU …. REST IN PEACE
Berghaus - Amsterdam Kruitberg Group
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Ed.
See related article:
THE BERGHAUS GIRLS
muntingnayon.com/100/100205/
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