'Thank You' - Eulogy by Joseph Fernandes.

'Thank You' - Eulogy by Joseph Fernandes.

On behalf of my family, I would like to begin by thanking everyone that is here today. Some of you have come from as far away as the US; thank you to everyone who has joined online and for those who have sent their condolences.
We have received countless phone calls, emails, texts, social media posts and thoughts and prayers they have been both comforting during this difficult time and have been a reminder of the impact that Mummy has had on so many others.

Some of my earliest memories of Mummy was our time in Adam building, Dhobitalao Mumbai India.

Life in Adam building was unlike anything else. Our front door was always open and neighbours would come and go without needing to knock. It was a community built on trust and familiarity.

My Mum was unique in her own right, a working woman at a time when most mothers in the building were housewives.

We lived in a joint family with our cousins, and when Mum’s sister got married and had nowhere to live, Mum did not hesitate to open our home to her. She was very generous like that and always ready to help.

We were one big happy family. My childhood and formative years were the best ever and I would like to thank Mum for this.

Mummy was a person you could not ignore.

She was charismatic, loved to chat and made friends very easily.

I used to say silly things to Mummy like you are my mother, but you are not my Father, but you are My Mother and My Father.

I suppose what I was saying only made sense to me.

Mummy wore the pants in our household. She was the main bread winner, worked very hard for her family, ambitious not only for herself but also for her children and through her hard work and dedication dragged us up along with her. I pay tribute to Mummy’s influence that my sisters and I are well rounded adults.

I received unconditional love from Mummy and also the discipline, work ethic, sense of fairness and family orientation.

Mummy was also My Friend, and I enjoyed her company. I will miss her Dearly.

With Mum’s passing my life has changed.

For the first time in my life, I am feeling apprehensive about my future. I suppose it is a testimony to Mummy’s love and care that even in her later years and months her presence and smile was all I needed to feel reassured and to get the feeling that she always had my back.

I would like to thank my sister Catherine and the Pereira family for their contribution to Mummy’s care.

I would like to thank my sister Hyacinth and the Rodrigues family for their contribution to Mummy’s care.

I would also like to thank the carers Costel and Cristina and Mum’s companions Mini, Jolanda and Jane for all the help, care and support they have provided Mummy over a number of years.

I would like to end by saying Thank you for everything you have done for me. I Love You, and I will miss you every day for the rest of my life.

Thank you.