Amaral Family (Family)
Entered
November 16, 2023
from Toronto
We gather with bittersweet sorrow and celebration in loving remembrance of Conceição Faria Martins Amaral, also known as Connie– a gentle soul whose heart, after enduring much, has found peace. Drawing strength from the comforting teachings of our Catholic faith, and in our shared sorrow, we recognize Conceição's remarkable 91-year life as an unfolding of God's divine plan.
We pray for Connie’s peaceful reunion with her late husband Teodomiro and other dearly departed relatives. We take comfort in knowing her reunion with her mother Hortencia, whom she was calling for during her last days. Let us also open our eyes to the enduring spiritual legacy she leaves: Her three loving, supportive, and caring children—Maria, Mario, and Ellam, who embraced their mother’s needs relentlessly—and her compassionate six grandchildren, whom she called “Cara Lindas”—Zachary, Renee, Mitchel, Julian, Kaitlynn, and Loren. Connie role-modelled and lovingly shared a heartfelt Portuguese ritual with her grandchildren– when asked, "Grandma bless me?" (Vo vo, abençoa-me?), she would tenderly reply, "May God bless you." ("Deus te abencoe."). With strength, she continued this tradition until her heart could no longer.
In the teachings of our Catholic faith, death is seen as a transition, not an end. Although Conceição has physically departed, her love and virtues live on through our hearts, our actions, and the choices we make moving forward. We express gratitude and thanks to Connie for choosing to leave San Miguel, Portugal, to join her husband in Canada for a better life. We’ll remember the lively debates over extra servings of perfectly roasted potatoes and chicken during Sunday lunches, as well as her meticulousness in cleaning and ensuring a tidy and spotless home. In the tapestry of memories, we continue to treasure Connie’s laughter and sense of humour– whether it be through humbly likening herself to Pippi Long Stocking or Phyllis Diller, or through graciously sporting silly attire for pictures, she remained a good sport. We continue to take pride in her sharp memory– still being able to recite her timetables at 91! Furthermore, we value Connie's embodiment of a strong sense of community. She was a familiar presence on Margueretta St., often found seated on the veranda, taking in the pleasures of the garden, the songs of birds, and enjoying a cup of espresso. Her legacy includes being a warm greeter on the porch to all who walked by, a role she embraced from spring through the end of October.
Conceição demonstrated profound care for her family, demonstrated through her patience, charity, and fortitude in raising her grandchildren. Despite enduring the pain and suffering of illness, she expressed powerful manifestations of love and virtue. In the spirit of Conceição's reserved and enduring nature, her strength mirrored that of a cat with more than nine lives, gracefully navigating life's challenges with quiet resilience, accentuated by the elegance of her chic black widow's attire.
As we bid farewell, let our Catholic faith guide us to,
smile through tears,
open our eyes to grace,
love one another deeply,
and journey forward with the assurance that she lives on in a higher existence.
Obrigada por dar vida aos seus filhos, aos seus netos, Obrigada por seu trabalho, Obrigad, por sua paciência e gentileza, Va com Deus ate a Proxima! AMEN!
