Claudine Fernandes, wife of the late Walter Fernandes. Claudine passed away peacefully in the presence of her family, at 3:30am on August 4th, just a few days shy of her 90th Birthday. Proud alumus who was among those first students 1931 who transferred from the one room school in town to the new DRGS in Parklands. She was followed at the DRGS by all of her six siblings : Netta Barretto, Luiza Lobo, Joseph, Francis and Jacob Joanes.

She will be fondly remembered by her loving daughters, Ramona (Chris) and Joan (Clement), her grandchildren, Elaine, Christopher, Monique, and Kristina, her brothers, Francis (Francie) and Jacob (Jacqui) Joanes.

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A Tribute to my Mother

To cram 90 years of a full and fulfilled life into a few paragraphs is indeed a Herculean task, but I will do my best by this awesome, wonderful woman I was proud to call my Mother.

Claudine Fernandes was born Anna Lourdina Joanes on August 10th, 1924, in Nairobi. She attended my alma mater, the legendary DRGS, being one of the 1931 pioneer students to move to the new Parklands site. As the eldest of six children, she was charged with the task of looking after her younger siblings and, thus, was initiated into the “family values” system at an early age. From her parents she inherited her steely resolve and firm commitment to family. She ruled her siblings with an iron fist inside a velvet glove. Mom became the strength and backbone of her family.

There are so many ways in which my mother showed her remarkable grit in the face of adversity. Growing up, we were somewhat financially challenged. But, thanks to my very resourceful and resilient Mom, we were always well-fed, well-clothed and well-educated. And all this from just her one salary as my Dad had been diagnosed with debilitating Parkinson’s and had to quit his job. What we lacked in luxuries, we more than made up for in love, laughter and very innovative ways of keeping ourselves entertained with homemade toys and games. Truly, my mom’s amazing strength of character was legend. Through all the adversities that she suffered, she was never heard to complain or moan about her lot in life. Her mantra went something like: “When the going gets tough, pull yourself up and march forward – God will take care of the rest”.

Through the example of our beloved mother who tended to Dad during his lengthy struggle with Parkinson’s, we learned that looking after a family member in their time of need was an honor, not a task. Mom was Dad’s complete and total caregiver, a feat she carried out with love, compassion and amazing strength. Before that she had taken charge of the burial of her beloved father, and then her brother Joseph. When Dad passed away, Mom automatically assumed the dedicated daughter’s duty of looking after her own mother and then later, her sister Netty. Mom did all this with love and her deep sense of familial commitment.

And then, finally, Mom’s release from duty introduced her to Freedom 55! Having no-one to look after, she could now start to enjoy an active social life, a task she accomplished with the same commitment and gusto with which she did everything else. Mom’s kind, calm and hardworking ability to organize and bend people to her will surprisingly endeared her to many at her new haunt, the West End Senior’s Association. She took on the job of General Secretary and also served in later years as a trips and tours coordinator. Mom organized trips, went to parties and dances and engaged in all manner of entertainment as only seniors can do. We’d tell her that staying out till all hours and engaging in mindless entertainment was hardly becoming of a person her age. She would just shrug and mutter something about life being too short, and rush off to yet another round of mindless entertainment! Mom’s taxi service to non-mobile seniors was legendary, and it isn’t hard to imagine the joy of all the WES members who have gone before, that Claudine was finally joining them. She’s probably already started to organize Heavenly Bingo, resourcefully commandeering rides on angel’s wings so that all can attend! The reunion of seniors in the Heavens must surely be something to behold!

Mom is now gone, and I will be forever grateful that she was lifted into eternal life in peace and restfulness. I don’t doubt that she has already committed the Angel in charge of her section to watch over the family she has left behind. She is no longer with us, but her legacy of love, generosity and compassion will live on forever. Her spirit will live in my heart until that time when we are reunited and can hold each other, safe in the knowledge that we never again have to let go. Meanwhile, I will spend my days begging our Merciful Saviour to grant my beautiful Mom the peace of eternal rest that she so richly deserves.

Joan do Rosario

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