A Tribute on the Sad Demise of Ms. Ida Da Costa nee Denis

November 20, 1944 - January 30, 2014

by Muriel Lucas

I wish to convey my deepest condolences to Ida`s children Corrine, Annette, Darren, Brenden, their spouses and her grandchildren, wishing them courage in the mist of sorrow and comfort in the midst of pain.

Words seem inadequate to express the sadness I feel at this time on the sad loss of a near and dear friend and ex-student.

As I turn back the pages of time I recall befriending a demure, friendly girl who sat one desk ahead of me. She was soft spoken and had a caring and helpful disposition. We shared a great bond of friendship, which continued throughout our early years, one that held many fond memories of days gone by. Those were the days – the best years of our lives spent at the Dr Ribeiro Goan School, Nairobi, Kenya.

Of the many memories, I fondly recall spending our lunch hour at the St Francis Xavier's Church during exam week..... a visit suggested by none other than Ida. I, the impish one, relished the idea because we would stop by the vendor at the back of the school to buy a 10 cents packet of 'jugus' (peanuts) which we munched and almost choked on as we giggled and skipped our way back to school. We met sometimes on a Saturday for a favourite matinee and shared a Coca Cola, musing about what we would accomplish when we finally completed our education. Needless to say, we shared tears on our last day in school as we nervously pondered on what was in store for us in the working world, promising to keep in touch.

As time flew by, we temporarily lost touch as we went our separate ways to face and tackle the harsh and unexpected world out there. Our paths crossed about a year later while I was working for a travel agency and she was working with the museum in the Parks and Recreation Department. I was responsible for informing a museum rep about the bookings for one of the game lodges for the week. Well, you can imagine my surprise when I heard the voice on the other end.....it was none other than Ida`s. We kept in touch for many years after that, losing contact again during the mass exodus that took place in Kenya. I was thrilled to be re-acquainted with Ida when she visited Canada with her husband, Dimmy, whom, unfortunately I did not have the pleasure of meeting. Nevertheless, we kept in touch via telephone, until sadly she was blighted with her illness.

Ida was an exceptional individual who treated everyone equally, had an extraordinary capacity to make time for family and friends and was a great inspiration to everyone she encountered.

To her children, may you find comfort in knowing that your dear mother touched the lives of so many others and gave them the gift of many happy memories. I hope in time you will find some comfort in your own treasured memories that your loved one left behind for each one of you.

She has left an indelible mark of an everlasting bond of friendship and I am proud to have known her..

May her soul Rest in Eternal Peace.

God Bless.

Tributes Received: