Mangaluru: Mrs Steaphen D’Almeida, aged 90, wife of Late John D Almeida passed away at 6 45 pm on Monday 9th September 2019 at her residence “Almeida villa,” at Kulai Vidyanagara, Suratkal. The funeral will be held on Wednesday 11th September 2019 at 4.30pm at Sacred Heart Church Suratkal, Mangalore.
Mrs Steaphen D’Almeida was the beloved mother of Newskarnataka’s friend, philosopher, guide and shareholder, CA Valerian Dalmaida and his elder sibling, the Principal of Loyola College, Bengaluru, Fr. Francis D’Almeida SJ (formerly Vice-Principal of St. Aloysius College, Mangaluru). Other children include the Late William, Late Gratian, Emmy, Andrew, Joe and Stany; daughters-in-laws Jacintha, Violet, Cecilia, Blanch, Reena and Flavy and son in law, Late Xavier. Grandchildren are Wilson, Jeevan, Ranson, Vylan, Anup, Edmon, Shanon, Jean, Jenifer, Elita, Sonali and Late Fiona. Great Grandchildren are Sherly, Shelton, Ivy, Ethan and Neil.
Mrs Steaphen D Almeida was born in Bajpe, to the Late Mathias and Late Helen D Souza. She was married at the tender age of 13.5years. Though she was illiterate she was keen that all her children were not only formally schooled but also educated in life skills, and she used her own life experiences to educate and guide them throughout her life.
She was a fountain of traditional medicine knowledge and news of her healing touch soon spread far and wide. Doctors were few in those days and she acquired a reputation for effectively treating infants who were brought to her doorstep with various sicknesses. Miraculously, they had immediate relief, even as the parents were relieved. She also treated people with herpes keeping the patients at home until they recovered.
But she was more than just a healer. She was gifted with wisdom, knowledge, self-confidence, courage and kindness. She was known to have never sent away anybody in need empty-handed when they came to her asking for her support. Her neighbours loved her, and the people of Kulai village even more so. News of her death has already brought many of them home.
Hardworking, sincere and full of faith in God, she added to the family income through farming, making and selling home food products and even trading produce in the local markets. She has passed on her gift of faith to all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and her spirit will live on in and through them. May her soul rest in peace.
