Sr. Trifa De Souza

It is with deep sorrow and humble acceptance of God's will, that we announce the death of Sister Trifa De Souza on the morning of Sunday, 18th April 2021, in Nairobi, Kenya.

Daughter of the late John Joseph & Paulina De Souza, sister of the late Nifa, late Ita, Fabian, Pio and Mena.

Sr. Trifa was the Sister in charge of Edelvale Trust and belonged to the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity Congregation.

Video: Celebrating Sr. Trifa Desouza (Note: Appears there was no audio in the original video)

____________________

A Tribute to Sr. Trifa

By Ellen Ahluwalia nee Fernandes

We were very sorry to learn that our beloved and favorite Sr. Trifa passed away on the 8th April 2021 in Nairobi, Kenya. Sr. Trifa’s family and my family go back a long time. We lived at the Parklands Government quarters Nairobi together with a whole lot of people from Goa. As neighbours she became a very good friend to all of us and Edna was her best friend and they were up to tricks from those early days. At Carnival time we dressed up in all sorts costumes and paraded the surrounding area for a week or so visiting the families around us dancing, singing, joking etc. It was such a fun time.

Sr Trifa was a natural at athletics. At the Dr. Ribeiro’s Goan School she excelled in sports. She always wanted to be at the top. She then joined Spartans Athletic Club, a group of athletes who competed against each other and then against other overseas teams.

After athletics Sr. Trifa joined the Collegians Ladies Hockey Team (click). She was one of the founder members of the team. Hilary Fernandes, a favourite of the Railway Institute and later an Olympian taught us the tricks of the trade and tactics, so we became were formidable against other teams. We grew to be a strong team playing other local ladies’ teams and toured many East Africa countries Tanga, Daresalem, Zanzibar and Kampala (click).

Unfortunately, the Collegians Ladies Hockey Club was finally disbanded in the late 1960s as the players got older and had other pursuits.

To everyone’s surprise Sr. Trifa joined the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity looking after orphaned children in Kenya. In 1967 Sr. Trifa started her Postulancy in Southampton and when she became a nun went to Kenya to look after the orphaned and abandon children.

Last year she was in Southampton as her sister Ita passed away. She returned to Kenya to carry on with work the orphans. Unfortunately, she became ill and passed away after a few weeks. She will be missed dearly by her family and all her friends around the world.

Rest in Peace Sr. Trifa.

____________________

Other Links

Sister Trifa DeSouza: A sports crazy Goan nun who lives for her little ‘angels by Cyprian Fernandes

Savio Henriques: Cycling the Xtra mile for Edelvale Homes

Click here for Sr. Trifa slideshow

(To advance the slideshow press the Right Arrow key on your keyboard)