Family remembers Urbana Alipio, a loving mother and grandmother

(Written by Violi Calvert for Filpress members based on the narration to her, Bless Salonga and Romy Cayabyab)

    28 November 2011.

— AUSTRALIANS’ HEARTS were gripped with terror and grief as they woke up to the morning news on Friday, November 18, which reported that there were three fatalities and several elderly people who were injured in the fire that broke out in the Quakers Hill Nursing Home at about four o’clock that morning.

There was great fear for everyone involved, with the Filipino-Australian community gravely concerned if there were kababayans affected as Quakers Hill and the nearby areas are home to many Filipino-Australians.

Everyday thereafter the sadness increased with the fatality toll rising as a number of survivors taken in the hospitals’ intensive care [unit] lost their fight for life following serious injuries caused by the fire.

Then on Monday afternoon, November 21, Police released the name of the sixth fatality who died in Liverpool Hospital the day before, as Mrs. Urbana Alipio. Mrs Alipio, 79, was of Filipino descent.

As it is customary among Filipinos to offer prayers and give abuloys (donations), members of the Filipino Press Group of Sydney (Filpress) who attended its recent monthly meetings, voluntarily pooled together a small contribution for the bereaved family of Mrs Alipio, fondly referred to as Nanay Urbana.

After making enquiries, yesterday (November 28), I was able to speak with Abigail Valmeo, a granddaughter of Nanay Urbana, to extend condolences of Filpress members and to make arrangements to hand over our small assistance. It turned out that it was the last night of pasiyam (9 nights of prayers) for Nanay Urbana’s eternal repose so we agreed to go to their home right away.

It was 5 years ago, when Nanay Urbana showed signs of dementia, that the family decided to take her to the Quakers Hill Nursing home.

Eldest daughter Judith recalled that at 6 am, that tragic Friday, a close family friend rang to tell them about the fire at the Nursing Home.

Nanay Urbana did not suffer any burns but she had serious internal injuries from smoke inhalation. The toxic smoke in fact had done fatal damage as shown by scan and other tests.

When the family got to the hospital that night, a life support was attached to Nanay Urbana.

The following day, the family had to make the sad decision to switch off the life support as it was just prolonging her suffering. This was on Saturday, the day after the fire, and it was not until the following day, Sunday, that Nanay Urbana gave up her fight ~ after being assured by her loving family that it was okay to let go and go to rest.

Filipino priest Fr. Raning Creta anointed Nanay Urbana and performed the last rite at her bedside in Liverpool Hospital. Fr. Raning also administered Nanay Urbana’s funeral on Saturday, November 26, 2011.

Updated: 2012-01-04 — 02:08:45

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