In Memory of

Teresita

Florento

Briones

Obituary for Teresita Florento Briones

Teresita “Tess” Florento Briones
April 20. 1951 – January 8, 2020


Born on April 20, 1951 in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines to Moises Briones and Gloria Florento Briones, Tess immigrated to Winnipeg, Canada in 1974 to work as a sewing machine operator. After training as a typist, she took up employment at the Winnipeg Tax Centre in the early 80’s, where she continued for the rest of her life. She worked hard to help her parents follow her to Canada, and to support her sister Letty’s family in the Philippines, as well as her own in Winnipeg. Tess passed away at peace, with her close family by her side, on January 8, 2020, after surviving for many years with breast cancer.
Tess is survived by her partner Danny; her sister Letty; her daughter Scarlet, and her husband Brett and their daughter Winnie; her son Tyrone, and his wife Jen and their son Sam; and many other loving relatives, friends and coworkers.
Tess was a tremendous woman, who touched the lives of many through her selflessness and generous spirit. During her early years in the Philippines, she led a group of social activists. Later in Winnipeg, she was heavily involved with the Filipino community, for instance, with the Filcasa Housing Co-op and with performing, choreographing and judging Filipino folk dance with Kayumanggi Philippine Performing Arts, the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival and Folklorama.
Tess loved eating out and taking naps with her best friends Dory and Fely, corresponding with Letty almost every day, shopping trips with Danny, going out to the movie theatre with her children, Sunday brunches with family at Pampanga and The Gates, and finding hidden gems at local secondhand stores. At home, on her favorite couch, she avidly watched movies, dancing shows, singing shows, game shows and Judge Judy. She was an excellent cook, who enjoyed nothing more than bustling around the kitchen, while her family sat and talked around the table, shouting “eat! eat more!” and giggling when we complimented her on her cooking.
Your grand-babies Winnie (14 months) and Sam (5 months) are so grateful to have spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve with you this year. We wish you peace and rest as you reunite with your Mama and Papa in the afterlife, and hope that you will always feel our love from there until we meet with you again. May the Holy Spirit come upon you and make you whole again.
In keeping with the wishes of Tess, a private cremation will be performed. As an expression of sympathy, the family suggests sending memorial contributions to the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation in her name.

For online condolences or to light a memorial candle please log on to www.mosaicfunerals.ca