January 10, 1943 - July 19, 2019

Passed away peacefully on Friday, July 19, 2019 at her home in Brampton, Ontario. Beloved wife of the late Eugene of 48 years. Devoted mother of Karl and Tamara, Gavin and Danielle. Cherished Nana of Maya, Nicholas, Elise, and Ethan. She will be missed by her faithful companion Kasper. Dear sister of Pam Gonsalves ( Donald), Dr. Cajetan Moniz (Ingrid). Predeceased by her parents Xavier and Mabel Moniz. Deeply missed by her extended family and friends.

Condolences: pereiragavin@gmail.com

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Eulogy by Caje Moniz

Dear Friends......the last time I was here was to do a eulogy for my mother at a service arranged by Maureen and Eugene to celebrate her life of 95 years with friends in Toronto. I could not be there for Eugene’s funeral in March as we were away in India so we planned to meeting up again when she was ready. But not in this way!

Her sudden passing has brought much sorrow and distress to all, with many phone calls, outpouring of emails and messages of grief and sympathy especially for her sons and their family having both parents snatched away in such a short time.

We cannot begin to understand the impact of her loss of Eugene and although she appeared to cope she soon succumbed and died of a Broken Heart, that none of us could heal or put together.

Maureen was born in Nairobi in 1943 to Xavier and Mabel Moniz and had a happy childhood with strong family values and many circle of friends in the Dr Riberio Goan School and a while in Mangu Convent. She was an ebullient person who made and kept friends easily wherever she went and so her address book was full not only of their own details, but their family and friends too. She knew of their relationships so she could match anybody to another, or a time or place at a drop of a hat. And if you said you didn’t remember she would try another avenue of connection until you finally admitted “Ah Yes, I remember” and only then she would continue with the tale.

What has been so consoling are the lovely memories and tributes her many friends have sent in. Touching stories and beautiful memories and tributes in a lexicon of descriptions using all the superlatives that truly reflected her big personality, big heart and generous spirit.

She was a soft touch but fierce in knowing wrong from right. She was adorable, bountiful, caring, generous, kind and motherly in every way. I am sure you have your own descriptions and memories of her that you would like to add.

I myself might have not been here today as she tried smothering me with her with so much love by popping a kulkul in my mouth when I was three months old whilst mother and friends were preparing Christmas sweets. Luckily it was spotted in time and I live to tell the tale. But her lavishing of her baby brother with all the love and kindness that never ever ceased. In her teens I was sent by mother to chaperone her whilst she chatted and partied with the boys and girls in her group and she skilfully placed me in a safe corner with a packet of crisps and coke and continued her networking and all I could report to mother, truthfully, “nothing happened”.

She worked for a while in Nairobi and completed a diploma in hairdressing, quaffed and blow dried many a pretty head of ladies here today. She came to London in the early 1960s, met Eugene and kept house for friends who transited through his apartment in Muswell Hill, and eventually married him. I am eternally grateful to both of them for their kindness and generosity in looking after me too whilst a student in London.

They made a brave and courageous decision to emigrate to Canada in the early 1970s and never looked back. She threw herself into her new life at home and in the community and raised her lovely 2 sons, cared for her mother-in-law Jessie, for so many years whilst working full-time as a PA to the Head of PE at Yorke University. This could not have been easy settling into a new country and way of life yet she managed with great aplomb and success with the support of Eugene and her sons they became an exemplar of kindness and generosity. Indeed many condolences poignantly remember her gracious, generous and magnanimous manners for all friends and visitors.

Her life in Toronto you all know was full, giving tirelessly in all her endeavours, whether it was caring for the elderly, friends, relatives and family, but also cooking, and serving with great style and aplomb, cleaning to spotless perfection. She was devout and gave thanks for her fortunes, leading grace before meals but when we’re about to spoon in the food, she usually started an addendum of more thanks and praise for blessings bestowed on herself and ’My Karl, My Gavin or My Eugene’ and others.

She was a repository for family photographs, cards and mementos for births, birthdays and deaths and regularly kept us all up to date with tender words and loving thoughts. She was always magnificently turned out, loved shopping and would find a fabulous hat, then buy a dress to match, followed by shoes and handbag. Then Eugene’s outfit was matched with hers and finally her jewelry, all coordinated before stepping out as a glamorous “Hello Magazine” pair. She loved to party, her Macarena was the best I’ve ever seen and her sense of fun and joy was such pleasure to behold on her sweet, sweet face.

Recently she nursed Eugene magnificently and valiantly through his illness, never wavering in belief that he would recover with the power of prayer and medication. But his caring took its toll and during this time she did not spend a moment on her own needs and brushing off any attention on herself. The stalwart support of her sons and their families saw her through this hard time.

She was very devout in prayer and faith in Mary and perhaps in prayerful conversation decided a quick exit was the only solution. So we accept that this was divinely conducted and take solace from her leap into heaven and into eternity with her lasting love Eugene, other family and friends in everlasting peace.

But Karl and Gavin, Tammy, Danielle, I want to to know there has been an outpouring of love and admiration for both your parents, held in the highest regard in the lives of many many people. They will forever be remembered with love and fond memories which clearly is a great tribute to the life they led, the examples which they bestowed and a lasting gift they left behind

We share much sorrow with you, but only time will ease the pain. Rest assured they are in heaven entwined in peace together with those gone ahead, with angels and saints and will be there when our turn comes.

Dearest Maureen, a wonderful sister to Pam and I, outstanding mother to Karl and Gavin, mother in law to Tammy and Danielle and doting grandmother to Maya, Nicholas, Eilse, and Ethan, we are all here today to pay tributes to your life and bid a final farewell. We are consoled that a good spirit like you is in the presence of mother Mary, so intercede for us and hear our prayers of peace for you and solace to 2 sons and their families.

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Other Tributes:

Rest in Peace, Maureen, darling sister .......(courtesy Cyprian Fernandes Headlines of my Life Blog)

Fare thee well, my darling best friend Maureen! .......(courtesy Cyprian Fernandes Headlines of my Life Blog)

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Other Links:

https://www.catholic-cemeteries.ca/obituary/maureen-pereira/