Emilia Maria Veronica Fernandes

Emilia Fernandes, wife of late Santan Fernandes; mother/mother-in-law of Casilda/Milagres (Goa), Manuel/Anna (U.K.), Frazinha (Goa), Cajetan/Celia (USA), Theresa/Hipolito (Canada), Edward/Yelba (U.K./Goa); grandmother of Desmond, Desmeena/Brian, Deslia/Royden, Olavo, Oswald, Clayton, Daryana; great grandmother of Brianna, Deeanna, Rylan, Daylen; sister/sister-in-law of Idalina/Aquino (Portugal), Sr. Helen (SFN Goa), Rosa (UK), Inacio Agnelo/Eufemia (Goa), Eudes/Ditosa (Goa), Jose Gilbert/Celine (Goa) and aunt to many nephews and nieces passed away peacefully after a brief illness on November 5, 2020 at the Trillium Hospital, Mississauga (Canada).

Emilia was born on January 27, 1934 in Goa, India, moved to Mumbai, India where she met and married her late husband in 1953, before returning to Goa in 1972 where she thought she would live happily ever after. But fate had different plans in store for her – after her late husband’s demise in 1979, she moved to Canada in 1999 where she lived happily surrounded by the love of her daughter Theresa and her family and numerous family friends.

Emilia was very much a people person. She loved life and having people over. She would regale them with nostalgia evoking narratives of Goa. There was never a dull moment when she was around. She was also very passionate about crocheting; her hands were rarely still, she would be constantly making and gifting her lovely works of art to family and friends. She doted on her grandson Clayton and he in turn doted on her. She also had a sweet tooth – her weakness being the ‘boondi ladoo’ one of the popular Indian sweets.

She was also very pious and prayed for everyone and for the intentions of those who requested special prayers. She was kindness personified and always willing to help others. The world can always use more like her. Her life was a living example of her favorite Bible verse, Ephesians 4:32 — “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”

There will be a funeral service for her soul offered by Theresa and her family at 9:30 AM on November 14, 2020, at Nativity of Our Lord Roman Catholic church.

Please click on the following link to view the livestream of the service: Emilia's Funeral Service