Marieta “Bebing” Vargas Balatayo

Marieta “Bebing” Vargas Balatayo was born on August 15, 1957 in Banga Cotabato Philippines, to Josefina Pereyra and Sotero Vargas, Sr.

Marieta was one of her mother's eleven children. The first eight in which she was a part were with their father Sotero, when their father died, their mother remarried, so Marieta had three half-brothers.

Marieta graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree with a Major in Accounting from the University of Mindanao in General Santos City, South Cotabato Philippines.

Her first job after graduation was as a Counter Clerk at Telefast in the city of General Santos, Philippines. This was the place where she met her other half.  

On March 7, 1982, Marieta got married to Rizal Balatayo in Surallah Seventh-day Adventist Church. Through this union, God gave them two Children: Crystal and Rizaldy. Crystal is married to Ronald Palaganas, they have three children: Aaron, Annica, and Aliyah. Rizaldy is married to Cherrilyn Mercado, and they have one child, Ella. 

Although she was not very healthy, she lived with the strength God gave her with everytime she travelled with her husband to visit her children and grandchildren in Manila, Dubai-every 3 months, and Canada every six months at a time.

Despite suffering from heart disease, with the support of her husband, she tried hard as much as she could just to attend many events with the family and friends, whether it was a vacation, a camping, a church retreat, or a camp meeting, she just wanted to live her life to the fullest surrounded with the people she loved.

She enjoyed to attend the Red Deer Seventh-day Adventist Church. Even when she was already wearing an oxygen to support her breathing, she still came to fellowship with the brothers and sisters in church.

Marieta was a brave, resilient woman, she survived 5 major heart surgeries and multiple stroke. On May 12, 2025, at around 3:00 AM in the morning, she finally closed her eyes to rest in Jesus. This was after the day her children celebrated Mother’s Day with her in the Red Deer Regional Hospital. 

Marietta will be remembered by her children, siblings, families and friends as a loving, selfless mother, very strong, and resilient woman with a steadfast faith in God. 

We will surely miss you for now, for we are looking forward to that great resurrection morning when we will see you never to part again. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM (MT) on Friday, May 23, 2025 at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Red Deer, Alberta. There will be a livestream broadcast through the YouTube channel of the church.

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