It is with deep love and sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Wilfreda Lambert, who passed away peacefully in my arms on July 7, 2026, at the age of 87, after a courageous battle with coronary heart disease.

Mum was born on October 12, 1938, in Cebu, Philippines, to Vivincio Abellanoza and Inez Flores, and grew up with her four siblings: Piling, Lily, Pilar and Tony. One of her earliest memories was of living in a refugee camp in Bohol, Philippines during World War II, where she would hear kamikaze planes overhead. Even through those frightening times, Mum dreamed of building a better life in North America.

After graduating from nursing school in Cebu she moved to Houston, Texas, where she worked as a cardiac registered nurse at Methodist Hospital. She was proud to have worked alongside the renowned heart surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey, a pioneer in heart surgery and who invented the pacemaker. After working in the USA she wanted to move to Canada, first working in Saskatoon before settling in Vancouver. She later worked at St. Mary’s Hospital, where she met the love of her life, Alick Lambert, who was one of her patients. In his own charming way, he kept finding reasons to see her—asking for cigarettes, food, and anything that would bring her back to his bedside. Eventually, he won her heart, and the rest is history!

Outside of nursing, Mum was a gifted self-taught cake decorator who travelled the world competing in cake shows, often winning “Best in Show.” She poured love and creativity into every cake she made, especially for family and friends’ celebrations. She also found great joy in her garden where she diligently pulled the weeds while Dad watered the flower beds. 

Mum loved dressing beautifully, because she loved art and fashion. She carried herself with quiet gracefulness and elegance.

After retiring, Mum devoted 32 years to volunteering at Royal Columbian Hospital, where she served coffee, tea, and homemade baking to patients, staff, doctors, and nurses. Mum also volunteered alongside Dad at the Sapperton Pensioners Hall, where they supported many seniors in their community.

Above all, Mum was a faith-filled, deeply loving wife, mother, grandmother, registered nurse, volunteer, and friend. Mum and Dad gave me, their only child, Lorelei Lambert, a home filled with love, laughter, and lasting memories. In the final years of Mum’s life, while I was her caregiver, she continued to care for me. She was my strength through the loss of my Dad in 2023, my divorce in 2023, and the birth and raising of my daughter, Ireland, in 2024. Even as her health declined, she remained positive, strong, and full of love.

Her granddaughter Ireland called her “Youya” (Lola in Filipino) and was her little sidekick. She fed Ireland, clothed her, played with her and coparented with me.  In turn, Ireland was always giving Mum her jacket, shoes and cane while we got ready to leave the house. She would always walk Lola hand in hand to the car and made sure she had her cane. 

Mum lived a life of caring, kindness and service to others whether they were family, friends or strangers. She inspired me with her progressive and modern ideas throughout her life. Along with Dad, Mum was my best friend.

A Funeral Mass for Wilfreda will be held at Saints Cyril and Methodius Slovak Parish, 472 E 8th Ave, New Westminster, BC on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 2:00 PM with a reception to follow. A time of visitation will be begin at 1:30 PM.