Our Beloved Afra

If you are unable to watch the above video tribute on this page click here: https://youtu.be/B0pk7pdgB_U

Tributes

Sadly gone but never ever forgotten.

It’s with much sadness that I learnt of Afra’s passing. I did know however, that she had valiantly battled cancer for some

time.  May Afra’s soul rest in peace.

Afra was a kind and generous soul who was always up for up for a good laugh.  I do recall with not a little fondness, her classroom antics and her adolescent impertinence.  Most of all though, I remember her fierce loyalty....as exemplified by her enduring friendship with Joan & Melba and the availability of her shoulder to cry on!!

Not one to cower in the face of unfairness, she never failed to point out scholastic unfairness and certainly did not shy away from locking horns with teachers, albeit respectfully.

I unfortunately lost touch with Afra after my ‘O’ levels in 1965, but had the distinct privilege of meeting her recently at one of of the Goan School re-unions. Our meeting was reminiscent of 1965....like we had never been apart! Her memory was phenomenal : she recounted in intricate detail my brief but significant “run in” with the school administration, and opined how unfairly I had been treated.  Like I previously mentioned, Afra did not brook or tolerate unfairness!

Afra took a keen interest in affairs of the Goan School and was an enthusiastic contributor on the School website & the Class of ’64 Newsgroup.  Particularly insightful were her pointers on gardening.  In fact, it could be loosely said, that she indeed was “outstanding in her field!”

Afra chose her friends well....Amongst them were the multi-talented Octavio and soccer supremo “John Bull.” ....founding members of “The Luncheon Club.”  Her association with certain members of the “luncheon club” surely gave rise to not a little consternation within the school administration!!??

Afra’s free spirit will be terribly missed. 

Godspeed Afra dearest.

Ray deMello

Afra’s passing has filled me with great sadness. I have lost a very dear friend and soulmate.

My association with Afra goes back to the very early 50s.  As a toddler we used to play games in a very tiny idyllic called Ndula which is off the beaten track about 7 miles away from Thika. This village was Home to 5 Goan families where the breadwinners were employees of the East African Power and Lighting Company.  The Costa Bir family lived there, too, at that time.  I used to go there occasionally with my parents to visit an uncle.

Until recently Afra attended all our mini Class of 64 reunions and would bring with her produce from her Shamba, which we all appreciated..

She always took a keen interest in my family, especially my grandchildren and at each meeting would bring with her little gifts for them.  We stayed in regular contact and she  had a good sense of humour.

Her passing leaves a huge void in my life.

Rest in peace Afra, you remain in our hearts forever.

Jeff Fialho

Goodbye my dear good friend and confident, the one I always consulted whenever I had a horticultural problem. I can imagine Afra saying, "I  like my memory to be of happy, laughing  times, of bright and sunny days and the  afterglow of smiles now that life is done"

PS. Now that you're up there nearer God do not forget to put in a good word for us all.

Edwin and Maisie 

My friendship with Afra commenced in the playground at DRGS Primary School.  Yes, it was initially kicking a rusty tin can, "group" skipping and piling up 7 uneven tiles during our recess and lunch breaks that created our playing group.  As we transitioned to the Secondary School, the combined PE class and Sports' Afternoons further strengthened our friendship.

The Afra I knew at school was still the same person, when I connected with her almost 20 years ago via email....thanks to the Count for making this possible.   As I got to know her better, the warmth, sincerity and humility that she exuded was so evident. Indeed, so very much, a down-to-earth girl.

Afra's association with Community Gardening reflects the person that she was.  She worked hard at her shamba and she was proud of the results that it yielded.  Afra certainly influenced me to start a raised bed in my backyard.  When I harvest the produce, I will certainly look up to the Heavens to acknowledge a wonderful soul.

Free of your pain and suffering now, farewell and rest in peace forever, my dear friend.

You will be greatly missed!

Melinda Rodrigues

It is with deep sadness that I read about the passing away of my dearest friend Afra.

I had not met Afra for almost a decade but I cannot forget her loving  kindness, her warmheartedness,  quickwitted mind and most of all, her humor. She just made my day by always bringing out the best giggles and laughter in me. Her hilarious jokes, were unbeatable.

It was in the mid nineties that she searched and found me in Munich. We met in London for a Mini DRGS gathering. And there was Afra, the same affectionate, loving friend, smiling and happy.

How can I forget you Afra, my dearest friend?

Rest in peace. 

Affectionately, 

Fatima Noronha 

Having been a close friend of Afra’s for these past 70+ years I can say without any doubt Afra will be smiling and thinking, with unabashed satisfaction, “Yea, they Should remember me kindly for the laughs, the kindness and caring expended during my 77 years of living.” 

I do know this is what she’s saying because we were true kindred spirits.  We spent our formative youth together, weekends at my house through our entire school years and hanging out every opportunity we had.  Afra was a free spirit, fun loving and the ultimate extrovert.

School were our best years.  We weren’t model students to be sure....more like tail-enders on the academic spectrum is how one could best describe us.  However together, Melba, Afra and myself, made our presence felt in other ways among the ‘brain trainers’, starting with the iconic ‘baby class’ Mrs Jacques, followed by Mrs Coutinho, then going on to harass Mrs Nelson Paul with the likes of Luis & Irenio.  We were the bane of them all until the hapless Mr Tavares gladly handed us over to the Secondary assortment of educators who didn’t fare any better with our brand of high jinks and harmless miscreancy.  Our come-uppence finally presented with the arrival of Mr Neves Pereira who attempted to instil discipline and learning on our unreceptive beings.  What ensued during that fateful ‘Year of Ponk’ has, I am happy to report, gone to Afra’s grave with her!

Afra, bless her, was always ready for an adventure.  She was lively, had a great sense of humor, and was the ultimate extrovert, always to be found in the midst of a crowd, entertaining or being entertained, and happily engaging in whatever good times were happening.  She was a sportswoman, a daredevil, yet always ready to help someone in need or befriend anyone she felt needed a friend.  She had a big, generous, compassionate heart and always championed those being bullied or set upon.  Afra, like many of us in those days, never had much but whatever little she had, she willingly and unstintingly shared.  She was one in a million, and sadly we’re never to have another like her. I am so fortunate to have shared with her a valued and precious friendship of so many, many years. I have lost a sister and I am broken-hearted that I will never be able to hear her joyful bursts of laughter or see the twinkle in her eyes as she vocalizes her characteristically funny, pithy remarks.  I loved Afra through our whole life and will miss her dearly. 

Afra, you have taken with you a part of myself and my sorrow at your passing feels insurmountable.  Although you have gone from my life, you will live forever in my heart.  Rest in Peace, dear friend, knowing you are loved as much as you loved us all. ✝️❤️

In grief, your lifelong friend,

Joan

Dear Archie & fly: Please accept our deepest sympathy on the passing away of your lovely wife, Afra.  It breaks our heart.

Afra played hockey for the R.G.I. with her sisters Olga & Bertha.  Afra was fast and fearless. 

Afra was in our group that went on a Pilgrimage to St. Joseph`s Oratory, Mount Royal, Montreal and every time we came back from a Candle Light Procession or sightseeing tour she would always have something funny to say and made us laugh on our whole trip.

The Love & Kindness that Afra has shown for others will shine forever.

May Afra`s Soul Rest In Peace.

Juliet & Paul Nazareth

To Celebrate the Life of

Afra Fernandes

On

3rd June 2025

at

City of London Crematorium