Belen, aka Evelyn, passed away peacefully in Vancouver, BC, Canada, surrounded by her four children. Born in Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines, to Jose E. and Christina S. Morelos, she entered God’s kingdom and was reunited with her husband, Ernesto; sisters, Teresita, Genoveva, Silveria, and Concepcion; brothers, Enrique, Virgilio, Nestor, and Jose, Jr.; and parents, as well as other relatives who predeceased her. She is survived by her children, Jean, Ernest (Monika), Raymond (Angela), and Agnes; her grandchildren, Malcolm, Ethan, and Lucas; her sisters, Juliet, Remedios (John), and Socorro (Rolando); as well as her many nieces and nephews, and their families. She graduated from Polytechnic University of the Philippines (formerly Philippine College of Commerce) and shortly thereafter assumed her “matriarchal” duties assisting her parents and siblings alike, which earned her the title of “Mommy Belen” as she is still referred to by many. After a brief stint at the Australian embassy in Manila, her career took her to Vietnam; Thailand, where she met the love of her life, Ernesto R. Florendo, and had four children in Bangkok, Thailand. They eventually emigrated to Vancouver, BC, Canada, where they raised their children. Beyond her career and family accomplishments, her main crowning glory was her youth prison ministry for the residents of the Willingdon Youth Detention Centre (now the Burnaby Youth Custody Services Centre), which earned her prestigious accolades from the Canadian government who awarded her the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award. She was a very devout Catholic, was an active member of the parish at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church and presided over the Catholic Women’s League at the Church as the President for many years.
Our family invites friends and family to the Prayer Vigil on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., to be held at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, located at 4925 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC (corner of West 33rd Avenue & Cambie Street), where a Catholic mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. and officiated by Father Rodney Nootebos. The above events will be livestreamed, details of which can be found on www.kearneyfs.com. Interment to follow at the Abbey Mausoleum at Ocean View Burial Park, 4000 Imperial Street, Burnaby, BC, V5J 1A4.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia, the BC Cancer Foundation or the Burnaby Youth Custody Services Centre.