Clara Da Costa, dearly beloved wife of the late Mr. A. R. Da Costa passed away on November 9, 2019 in California. Loving mother to Bernadette (deceased), Matilda/Johnny, Joseph/Antonieta, Mariella/Brian; grandmother to Lee-John/Sonia, Lou-Alan/Hillary, Mary-Ann, Ryan; great grandmother to Mateo, Raina, Davi.

Clara was born in Nairobi, attended Dr. Ribeiro Goan School, and had a kindergarten nursery school there for 25 years before moving to the U.S. in 1976. She worked for the International Institute in Oakland for 15 years. She thoroughly enjoyed time with family and friends, traveling, and hobbies.

Clara was living in Alameda, California with her daughter and son-in-law. She passed away peacefully with her children and grandchildren at her side. Her funeral service was held on Saturday November 16.

Clara had a strong devotion to Saint Jude and also loved children. In memory of Clara, you may make a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital by clicking here.

Condolences messages to: DaCostaFamilyMemorial@gmail.com

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Eulogy : The Amazing Life of Clara

Maria Piedade Clara, affectionately known as Clara, was born in Nairobi, Kenya. Clara was the eldest of the five children of Ludgero and Olga Gracias. She had two brothers Maurice and Philip, and two sisters, Dolly and Brigida.

Clara attended Dr. Ribeiro Goan School as one of the first students in 1928. She did extremely well in her studies, especially English and Mathematics, and she always had impeccable handwriting. She played badminton, cricket and rounders and after completing high school, she enrolled in dressmaking classes.

She caught the eye of a young man, Antonio, who played the saxophone in the dance bands and was an accountant. Antonio always looked for an opportunity to leave the stage and go and dance with Clara. Before long, he asked her to marry him, and she said "Yes"! They had a beautiful wedding and started their life together. Clara enjoyed a busy social life in Nairobi. She and her family attended services at St. Francis Xavier’s Church where Antonio was the Choir Master, had a large community of relatives and friends, and attended sporting events, concerts and dances at the Railway Goan Institute.

Clara and Antonio were blessed with four children, Bernadette, Matilda, Joseph, and Mariella. Clara took on the role of wife and mother with great confidence, love and pride for her family.

Clara took on an opportunity to teach a young student named Jude. This had a very special meaning to her as she had great faith in St. Jude. She did well teaching him and opened up her own kindergarten school for 12 children. She prepared them for Grade One, and also gave tuitions to older children. She taught for 25 years, and her students went on to excel in school and have successful careers. Her former students and their parents accredited their success to the strong foundation in reading, writing, and arithmetic that Clara gave them with her teaching.

In 1976, Clara and Antonio moved to the U.S. to join her brother Maurice and his family in the Bay Area. This was a major decision but they met all the challenges of moving to a new country. Clara changed her career to office work, and worked at the International Institute for 15 years. She enjoyed her career there and received an award for her outstanding work. She made many good friends there and they continued their friendship as the “Golden Girls” after they retired with many get-togethers and day trips.

Clara felt overjoyed to become a grandmother of four grandchildren, see two of them marry, and then happily welcomed three great-grandchildren. She dearly loved her family and friends visiting or going to meet them, and always said “it is so nice to be together”.

Clara had strong religious devotion, deluging the saints and heavens with her prayers. Clara’s hobbies over the years included cooking, sewing, gardening, ballroom dancing, music, puzzles, and watching TV. Clara always loved to travel and enjoyed road trips, train rides, cruises, and outdoor beauty.

Clara suffered losses of her husband Antonio and her daughter Bernadette but remained strong throughout. With her family and friends, she lived life to the fullest into her 80s and 90s. Just a month before she passed away, she went to a Bruno Mars concert, a Bee Gee’s review concert, and won a little on a slot machine.

Clara was a sweet lady who made friends easily and had a lot of fans everywhere. Her sweet tooth was legendary and no matter where we went she always saved room for dessert. Her genuine smile, warmth, and caring lit up everyone whom she met. She had a quick sense of humor, loved to laugh and always knew what she wanted.

Clara was living in Alameda, California with her daughter and son-in-law. She passed away peacefully with her children and grandchildren at her side. A private funeral service was held on Saturday November 16.