Sr.Marie Dolores de Souza (Doris) F.S.M.A (Franciscans of St. Mary of the Angels)
A dedicated Educationist and unassuming, compassionate ,committed social worker She was born to Mr. Juze Clarence & Mrs. Isabella De Souza on 27-3-1931, at Sauntavado, Calngute, Bardez .She was the last of the siblings in the family. She entered the novitiate in 1951,pronounced first vows on 17-6-1953 and final vows on 17-6-1958. She was posted to Ajmer in charge of boarders and endeared to them affectionately .In the year 1966, she was the founder, pioneer,at St Mary of the Angels Convent School,Chinchinim along with Sr. Etienne and Sr. Getrude In 1974, after 8 years of relentless groundwork at Chinchinim, she was deputed to establish and to cater to the Education needs of then, remote Village of Sarzora, as its first Headmistress ,which presently is a flourishing , co education high School. She was specially chosen to head Clergy Home at Margao, serving for 36 Years (1979-2018). At her request in June, 2015 transferred to Clergy Home at Halga, Karwar, but preferred to be at Chinchinim from 2016 onwards. Her joyous occasion of Silver Jubilee celebrated at Mhow in 1968 and Golden Jubilee thereafter. In 2017 suffered cardiac arrest and was fitted with pace maker , thus her health took a turn restricting her activities. On July 23, 2019 she was hospitalized for minor ailment and then to Hospital at Indore on 4-8-2019 for more specialized care and treatment. She breathed her last, peacefully at 7 a.m on 13-8-2019 at Indore. The start at Sarzora without proper accommodation was a challenge. she surmounted with dedication and commitment with a focus to achieve her goals ,with scarce financial resources. She enjoyed overwhelming support and co-operation of the residents and others. Sr. Dolores was a friendly, loving, affectionate and unassuming person. A charming personality with contagious smile, won friends and admirers and integrated herself easily with the locals .Her social service and education are her specific identities. She was popularly named as the “ CYCLE NUN” which helped her to fulfill her mission of hygiene , sanitation, health, girl education at Baida Chinchinim, a village ,socially and economically disadvantaged. Her long service to elderly priest for 36years with patience, compassion, smile , love was praise worthy and exemplary. She maintained close and cordial relations with her immediate family and inspired her nieces Sr.Yvonne and Sr Judith who followed her footsteps in joining the congregation, To fulfill her last wish to be interned at Chinchinim, Mother Superior ,Sr. Cyrilla, ,Provincial Sr. Mercy along with Sr. Vandana and Sr. Sandra undertook the tortuous, back breaking journey in an extremely bad weather and flooded road conditions throughout the route The delayed funeral services on 14 August were planned and held from 5.30p.m to 6.45 pm. at the outdoor stadium of St Mary`s Convent with a thousand mourners of grateful parents, nuns, staff members, students, family members and prominent locals of Sarzora and Chinchinim and surrounding Villages, in spite of a continuous and heavy downpour .Rev Dr Filipe Nery Ferrao, Archbishop concelebrated the Eucharist with more than 25 priests in attendance with the appropriate back drop “LORD, YOU ARE My LIFE, MY EVERYTHING” .Bishop recounted and emphasized her selfless, dedicated , compassionate services of love, joy, and with a smile and honest concern for 36 years. As a mark of special gratitude and rare gesture Archbishop personally preached the homily, conducted the funeral rites, including burrial ceremony at late hours .The nuns paid glowing tributes to her memory, services and admirable personality traits .Sr. Flavia recited a special poem in her honour Nelson Lopes Chairman. P.C Trust. Tribute to Sr.Dolores by Mr. Nelson Lopes “The Goan dated 14-8-2019 Sent from my iPhone Sent from my iPhone
