Educator, community activist.
Born at Jones, Isabella, The Philippines on 27 June 1942, third of eight children of Pacifico and Lucia Llacuna, she was raised by her grandmothers for much of her childhood. She attended the University of Manila and received a BSc degree in Elementary Education after which she worked as a schoolteacher. On 13 January 1966, she married teacher Neme Juan and they had a son and a daughter while operating a taxi cab business.
After the family immigrated to Winnipeg in 1974, she attended the University of Manitoba, receiving a BEd degree in 1982. She taught at schools in the inner city where she was known for her unwavering confidence in the ability of every child. She taught at Wellington School and John M. King School. She later served as Vice-Principal at Norquay School (?-1997) and Lord Roberts School (1997-2002) until retirement in 2002.
After retirement, she was a trustee for the Seven Oaks School Division for six years and helped to found the Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers. She founded the Seven Oaks Filipino Employee Association and was the main proponent for the Filipino Language Bilingual Program, the first of its kind in Canada. In 2013, she founded Active Living Seven Oaks to promote health and wellness for local seniors. In recognition of her community service, she received a Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and was named a Manitoba Senior of the Year.
She died at Winnipeg on 11 February 2024
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 17 February 2025.
“Small stature, massive impact” by Jim Timlick, Winnipeg Free Press, 26 April 2025.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 26 April 2025
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