Goan Voice, Canada : Obituary

Family life in that home revolved around Natty, the cornerstone of that house. She was the ever loving wife, and faithful companion of her husband, Martin; always supporting him in all his endeavors. She so lovingly and tirelessly nursed him back to health whenever his health failed him.
She gave him two wonderful and truly lovely daughters, Catherine and Iris who do their parents proud and who in turn are their parents’ ultimate source of joy and happiness!
She was the driving force of the family. As a parent, she inculcated strong and lasting family values. She transformed that house, into a warm and loving and welcoming home. No matter what time of day or night you visited they always shared their table with you.
Natty never abandoned her own mother, Justina Fernandes. They arranged for her to live with them in Canada in the latter years of her life and Natty was ever so attentive to the littlest of her mother’s needs.
Mother and daughter had a special bond and so it was befitting that her mother, now arrange for Natty, to live with her in their Heavenly Father’s Mansion just fifteen minutes shy of her mother, Justina’s 17th death anniversary.
Natty delighted in her children’s successes - in their childhood years, as young ladies, and now in their adult lives. Inspite of her weakened health and frail condition she dressed and abandoned her hospital bed determined to attend even for just a short time, Iris’ performance on the Sunday before Christmas. Such was her strength and determination. She was a quiet personality, yet very caring and giving in nature; gentle and shy in demeanor. Once you made a friend of Natty, you had a true friend for life!
She took early retirement after working over 25 years with the Ministry of Transportation. A large representation of former co-workers is in attendance today, including a couple of directors whom she worked for. This is testimony of the high regard and respect she was held in by all her colleagues and peers.
She enjoyed her retirement years spending most winter months in sunny Costa Rica coming back home full of interesting anecdotes of life in that country.
Besides her various volunteer activities, she was an enthusiastic member of the G.O.A. and was proud to be "First Lady" when Martin was President in 1972.
Along with Martin she was an avid participant in plays presented by the Goan Theatrical Group.
Well Natty, you have gone away from us and are not coming back to us, but we live in the hope that some day we will all be back with you.
Natty, painful as it is, we must now say our final goodbyes to you. Goodbye dearest wife; good bye dearest mother; good bye very special friend! May you find your Heavenly peace, you so richly deserve! May your soul rest in peace! Amen.