In Celebration of

Minelle D'Souza

June 15, 1971 -  June 30, 2018

Kind and gentle, generous and filled with love, unaccountably taken with so much left to give and receive. Minelle passed peacefully in the arms of her adoring husband after a night of prayers and tearful goodbyes by her loving family. Beloved wife of David Michaelides and devoted mother to Penelope and Victor, cherished daughter of Mathew and Martha, dear sister of Mitzi, Merrill, Mark, Malcolm and Majella, and loving aunt to Julian, Gabriel, Jacob, Joshua, Ava and Justin. All who had the joy of having Minelle in their lives, Alice and Tom and the Dunstan family, and the Michaelides family, Richard and Faye, and Doug, Jean and Lexa, and dear friends, and colleagues, will miss her grace, empathy and counsel.

Minelle was born in Mumbai India and came to Canada as a small child, youngest in her large, close-knit family. Fierce determination and a desire to contribute to her community saw her through an advanced degree in Library Science and a career in the Federal Civil Service. Minelle maintained deep and loving friendships with a few remarkable women from her youth, yet her love for her parents and siblings, and her devotion to her husband and children were at the heart of her adult life. In return for her loyalty and dedication, Minelle gratefully received the affection and generous care of all those who loved her.

Friends and loved ones may call at the Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto (416-767-3153) on Wednesday July 18, 2018 from 5 to 8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Pius X Catholic Church, 2305 Bloor Street West, Toronto on Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 7 p.m.

Memorial donations to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation would be appreciated by the family in lieu of flowers.

Guestbook 

(5 of 37)

Laura Swan (Neighbour)

Entered July 6, 2018 from Toronto

To David, Penelope, and Victor,

I've just this incredible sad news. I'm so deeply sorry for the loss of sweet Minelle. What a lovely woman, kind mother and dedicated partner. Our neighbourhood will miss her smiles and kindness.

Laura, Henry, and Maeve

José Ruiz-Alvarez (Friend & colleague)

Entered July 6, 2018 from San Antonio, TX

Dear sweet friend and colleague Minelle and I were colleagues at the Ferguson Library in Stamford, CT from 1999 till 2003. We hung out together, laughed together, told each other about our lives, and had deep respect for one another. We had lost contact throughout the years but I never forgot her and her friendship. I will miss her and regret not knowing about her in the past fifteen years after she left Connecticut.

Seana (Matthews) Collins (Friend)

Entered July 6, 2018 from Port Williams, Nova Scotia

My heart aches for her babies, husband, parents, siblings and friends. Minelle was that rare kind of person that one is fortunate to have had in their life. She burned so bright and always warm and kind. She has left big foot prints on this earth. Always kind, forever witty and funny, loved by many. Minelle and I were friends and classmates at McGill University, she introduced me to my husband who was her "new" room-mate. We lost my husband 5 years ago to cancer, I think that they will have a glass of wine and a samosa together - I hope that they are. So many fond memories of this wonderful person. Love to you and yours from Jack and Seana Collins.

Terry and Andrea Siqueira (Friends)

Entered July 7, 2018 from Calgary AB

The world has lost a beautiful soul. Minelle was an example to all on how humans beings were meant to be. She was kind and soft spoken with a love for her family. Deepest condolence to her husband and children who will keep her memory alive.

Mridu Chandra (Friend)

Entered July 7, 2018 from New York

Minelle said hi to me one day on campus at McGill, she was posting a flyer for some meeting she was organizing. Maybe it was for the women's choir she started in Montreal or maybe it was for some political cause she was supporting. I don't remember exactly. Later that day, I saw her in the cafeteria and asked to sit with her. We were inseparable for many years from that moment on and there was never a dull moment! We hosted a talk radio show together and we spent an entire summer camping down the West Coast from Vancouver to Los Angeles. We'd host dinner parties with elaborate meals which we would make from scratch and would then sit down to do our homework late in the night. With our dear friend Sita, we traveled India together and learnt many things about ourselves and our family histories. Minelle gave me so much love and friendship through the years, so much sage advice, and she always made me laugh. It's hard to believe she is not with us anymore, but she is deep in my heart and always will be. Sending love to David, Penelope, and Victor, to her family and friends. x Mridu

Photos 

(5 of 45)

Outside the apartment on rue Hutchison Penelope's 10th Birthday Standing Stones, Seated Angel Victor's 1st Birthday Minelle with Michelle Hackwelder, Xiaomei Gong & daughter (2000)
Help Extend the Memorial
Order a Keepsake Book
Order Sympathy & Support Gifts

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Report an Issue