Tributes to Cerena de Souza - April 2011

	With great sadness, AMASC announces the death of Cerena de Souza who passed away on Tuesday 5 April 2011.  Cerena was a member of the AMASC Board. Rest in Peace, Cerena, you will be missed.

Tuesday 5 April, 2011
My dear Claudia and Hermine,

I am so very sorry to inform you that our dearest friend Cerena de Souza passed away this morning at 7 pm. at Shanti Avedna - Hospice for the Terminally ill cancer patients.

Claudia, you will remember this place as we took you there once.  Cerena called me herself a few days ago from Shanti Avedna to say she had admitted herself there under advice from her doctor.  She was there only for a few days and was very calm and peaceful. All her friends were constantly with her, sometimes laughing and joking with her, but most times praying with her. She had the love and affection of all her family and friends and passed away very quietly and peacefully.

Her funeral is today itself at 4 pm.  I will be saying a few words at her funeral as her friend and also on behalf of Scesa and Amasc.  If there is any thing particular you would like me to say on your behalf, please let me know soon.  My cell number is 98193 19305.  
I would be grateful if you can please inform her friends at Amasc
With Love and thanks 
Serena D'Sa  

Wednesday 6 April, 2011
My dear Hermine, Claudia and all our friends at AMASC,

On behalf of Cerena's family members and friends at SCESA, I wish to thank each and every one of you for your condolences, your prayers and lovely thoughts, words and prayers on the sad passing away of our dearest Cerena.  She passed away at 7 am and her funeral was at 4 pm on 5th April itself. It was a quiet, dignified funeral just as Cerena would have liked it.  The Eucharist was said by 3 priests, the hymns and readings were carefully selected by her parish friends and the singing was beautiful. The church was full of her family and friends, who though even at short notice, all left whatever they were supposed to do that day and rushed to make it to her funeral. She looked very peaceful - ready to meet her Master.

Our SCESA friends all clung together at her graveside. We said our goodbyes with tears pouring down our faces.
Cerena was one of my best friends and I was privileged to be asked to deliver a short Eulogy on behalf of Sophia College and SCESA at the end of the Mass.  I am attaching the Eulogy, which included all of you too.

With love and God bless to each one of you. Please do keep in touch.  
Serena D'sa
Ex Hon. Secretary of SCESA 

Tuesday 5April, 2011
Dear All

Just received the sad news about Cerena. 

Have spoken with Serena and shared a few thoughts especially that today we were all in Malta last year. I managed to speak with her last month during my holiday in India and she seemed so well and full of hope after her spiritual sessions in Goa. 

She was a wise woman and I shall treasure the memories I have, spent with her and SCESA in Mumbai.  Her wisdom always came through during the difficult times we had during our AMASC mandate.  Cerena was indeed a lady.  May she rest in peace.

My love to you all
Claudia

Thursday 7 April, 2011
Dear Serena

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful thoughts and words about our dear Cerena.  She will be missed amongst the AMASC family and also by SOS Malta with whom she shared so much in India and Sri Lanka. 

Her trip with us to Matara in 2007 on behalf of SCESA was a wonderful experience, which she had enjoyed so much.  The forging of our partnership on Rain Water Harvesting was born!  We learnt so much from you and continue to engage ourselves in the techniques you taught us bringing water to the remote, poor villages in Africa.AMASC brought us together.  What a great network!

The picture attached is the boat ride we went on down the river in Matara when we saw the crocodiles.  Cerena simply loved the adventure.

My love and prayers for you all during this sad time.  Please do extend my warmest regards to all my dear friends in Mumbai not forgetting sister Karuna Braganza.  I shall see you in November.
Claudia Taylor-East                                 

Wednesday 6 April, 2011-04-11

Dear Serena,

Opening my computer after a busy long weekend I am so sad and more or less surprised to read the news about Cerena.
Some weeks ago she still was so optimistic I experienced during a telephone call with her. She always surprised me, because during her illness she always stayed so positive and so remarkable brave thanks to her intensively faith!.

Know I will miss her and I will remember her from time to time. Cerena for me is/ was such a warm person, she encouraged me so often during our calls and with her natural wisdom and love concerning the mankind in general she inspired me every time we spoke together.  Indeed she always radiated peace, love and wisdom and above all wisdom silence! Thanks to AMASC I got the opportunity to meet her during my live. Such an enriching experience!

So good to read her family and friends were able to support her.
In prayers I will be with her, you the family and especially her mother, who lost already a son and now again after almost 4 years a beloved daughter.

Dear Serena, know I do appreciate so much you informed us as soon as possible and I also do appreciate your initiative you have sad a few words on behalf of AMASC during Cerena’s funeral.

I am so sorry I couldn’t send you a message in time you could have read from my side, but know that I shall treasure the memories I have, spent with her during my mandate and the time after.

Knowing Cerena I am almost sure will move on with her dedication concerning AMASC; a splendid go-between/mediator in heaven.

I am so I am sure Pam Snyder and Anne de Broglio will forward your message to all alums by the AMASC website.

Wishing you courage and sending you and Cerena’s family my love and prayers, we’ll keep in touch,

Hermine van Asten-Wennekers
Past President AMASC
Emeritus Member

Thursday 7 April, 2011
Es realmente una muy triste noticia y una pérdida irreparable.

Cerena era una persona especial por la que sentía gran admiración y afecto.

Gracias por tenerme al corriente y, por favor y si tenéis ocasión, hacer llegar mis condolencias a su familia con mi recuerdo y oración para ella y para sus seres queridos.

Un fuerte abrazo

Carmen de Villalobos

Thursday 7 April, 2011
Merci Hermine de nous avoir envoyé copie de ta lettre. Céréna ne nous quittera pas car son sourire, sa gentillesse et sa générosité resteront en nous pour très longtemps. Je suis très heureuse d’avoir pu passer beaucoup de temps avec elle et Lynette au dernier congrès de Malte. Nous logions dans le même hôtel et tous les matins nous prenions notre petit déjeuner ensemble. Nous avions beaucoup de choses à nous raconter.  Lorsqu’elle était venue à Bruxelles pour la réunion du board de l’Amasc en 2008, nous avions passé toute une journée avec elle et  Barbara et Jacqueline pour visiter la ville de Bruges Comme on le dit chez nous, Céréna était une belle personne.

Je souhaite à toutes celles dont le nom se trouve mentionné ci-dessus de très belles fêtes de Pâques.

Très affectueusement
Kathleen Dor

Dear All,
This is a very sad news... Cerena was such a special person, she could talk through her silence. I believe she will still talk to us from heaven.
Love Ana

Dear All,
This is such sad news.  She certainly fought valiantly and with grace.  I had been so encouraged by Claudia’s comments upon her recent return from India.  Cerena will be missed. It is hard to believe that a year has gone by since we were all together in Malta.  She is at peace now and watching over all of us.  I feel I am the better for having known her and for having experienced her love, friendship and wisdom.  Love to all and to her family.

Beatrice

Sunday 10 April, 2011
Dear Serena,

What sad news that our Cerena is not any more! I had the great privilege to work with her and I really appreciated all her qualities: she was always so good, so attentive not hurt anyone, she was really special! I am just returned to Rome after a week abroad, and I will go as soon as possible, to pray Mater Admirabilis for her. I am sure that she will help all of us to continue our activities for AMASC, and it is a great comfort to feel her near us through our prayers.

Please receive my condolences to you, the SCESA and to her Family and friends.

I will put all the material concerning her departure, all messages of the AMASC members, and of course, the beautiful photo that Claudia sent us, at the Archives of AMASC. If you want to send me something more: please let me know.

Un forte abbraccio, Fedy

 

Dear Anne
With sadness we received the announcement of the death of Cerena de Souza, an example of friendship and kindness.  We hope that she is resting in peace, near our beloved Mater.
With all our love
Maria Helena Pimenta
President of ANASC-BRASIL

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A few photos taken at the Rye AMASC meeting in 2006 – lovely memories of Cerena to treasure!