With extreme sorrow, we announce the passing of our mother, Maria Vindelina D’Costa, on Friday, July 11, 2025. She is pre-deceased by her husband Henry Anacleto D’Costa (1989) and daughter, Jennifer (2021).

She is survived by her five children: Anna D’Lima (widow of Frank), James, Ludomilla Rauterberg (John), Florence and Juliet. Maria was a loving grandmother to Vanessa, Natasha, Marie and Gabriel, and an honoured great-grandmother to William, Edward, Rayhaan, Sophia, Benjamin, Avery, Petra and Thomas.

Maria was born in Maina, Curtorim, Goa, India, on June 11, 1928, to Arnolfinho Fernandes, a classical pianist, and to Juliet Rebello, a homemaker. Maria was the eldest of eight children and is survived by Cajetan, Philomena, Sr. Julianne, J&M; Peter and Joseph, and is pre-deceased by Anita (2018) and Frank (2011).

Maria was married to Henry D'Costa, and had six children. Spending 49 years in India, prior to immigrating to Canada in 1974, she was a teacher and won several awards for excellence in education. She also worked in the Bishop’s office at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, New Delhi, India, and helped ship countless packages of milk and supplies to Mother Theresa‘s orphanage run by the Missionaries of Charity, Calcutta. Mother Teresa would occasionally visit and share a cup of tea with Maria and put her arms around Maria’s neck and thank her profusely for saving her babies.

Maria also kept a bountiful garden of fruit and vegetables, ran a poultry hobby farm for many years and completed her B.A., and Teaching certificate in Early Childhood education.

Maria was a multi-talented and accomplished lady, Together with her husband, she opened three branches of St. Cecelia’s Public School, from grades 1-5. She was a a person of deep faith and a life of action. Courage, independence, and a great desire to do for
other's was the hallmark of her life. She lived by a simple philosophy of compassion, goodwill, hard work and unwavering faith in Jesus and Mary. She ingrained in us the same strength in our faith. Maria loved to recite the Rosary and the Divine Mercy chaplet,
with the Memorare as one of her favourite prayers.

Maria was well known for her fabulous meals and cooking, and loved to entertain. Her door was always open and welcoming. An avid volunteer, she had a love of the Fine Arts and volunteered at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, in addition to many years at
the Trillium hospital, and at the Amica Retirement and Tyndell Nursing home. Her volunteer activities extended for months abroad in an orphanage in Lisbon, Portugal where she could utilize her fluency in Portuguese; and also volunteered at The Heralds of Good News, in Eluru, India. She spent a year in Stewart, B.C., helping the youth and other activities at the St. Felix Church.

She loved to travel and enjoyed many cruises and adventures to various destinations with family and friends.

Maria led a fulfilled life, right until her admission to Trillium hospital two months earlier. She loved to sing for the family and the nursing staff at the hospital, bringing joy to those who heard her.

Mum died peacefully with the family around her. A strong, bright light had left us. She was a true Legend, having filled our lives with her strength, fearlessness, creativity and compassion. Her legacy will remain with us forever.

Family and friends may call at Turner & Porter - Peel Chapel, 2180 Hurontario, Mississauga, on Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 6-9 p.m.

Funeral Mass at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, 921 Flagship Drive, Mississauga, on Friday, July 18, 2025 at 11 a.m.

Burial to follow at Assumption Catholic Cemetery, 6933 Tomken Road, Mississauga

There will be a reception after the burial, at St. Patrick’s Parish at approximately 1 p.m.