Obituary

MARCELINA SIMÕES CAEIRO MOTA MENDES (1928 – 2022)

Marcelina Simões Caeiro Mota Mendes, at the blessed age of 94, was peacefully taken into the presence of the Lord at her family’s home in Toronto, Canada on August 9, 2022 surrounded by her loved ones. Marcelina was born on May 12, 1928 in Amareleja, Portugal to Manuel Caeiro Mota and Maria Lourenço Simões Veigas. She was the 5 th born of 7 siblings; Manuel, Maria Angelica, Vicencia, Arnaldo, Joaquim, Evone and Francisca. She was the beloved wife of 68 years to the late Manuel Martins Mendes, loving mother to son Mario, daughter-in-law Laura, pre-deceased infant Joaquim and sweetest grandmother to Joshua and Nadia Mendes.

Marcelina immigrated to Canada with her family in 1965. True to her strong work ethic, within days of stepping off the plane, she began working as a seamstress. Here in Canada, she discovered and engaged with a thriving Portuguese community at The First Portuguese Evangelical Church of Toronto, where she met her dearest lifelong friends.

Marcelina will be remembered by her strength, sharp mind, selfless heart and kind spirit. Marcelina was quick to put others before herself on every occasion, despite the challenges faced in her life. She was the definition of a fighter, soldiering through every hardship with an admirable calmness. This strength came from her most important quality; her strong faith in the Lord.

Marcelina’s warm smile, witty remarks, caring conversations and her famous broinhas (Portuguese cookies) will be greatly missed, but celebrated everyday by those survived by her.

“My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth”

– Psalm 121:2

Marcelina Simões Caeiro Mota Mendes, com a abençoada idade de 94 anos foi levada pacíficamente para a presença do Senhor, estando rodeada pelos seus ante-queridos, no lar da sua família em Toronto, Canadá, no dia 9 de Agosto de 2022. A Marcelina nasceu no dia 12 de Maio de 1928 em Amareleja, Portugal. Os seus pais eram Manuel Caeiro Mota e Maria Lourenço Simões Veigas. Ela foi a quinta de um grupo de 7 irmãos; Manuel, Maria Angélica, Vicencia, Arnaldo, Joaquim, Evone e Francisca. Ela foi a amada esposa por 68 anos do falecido Manuel Martins Mendes, a amorosa mãe do filho Mário, da nora Laura, e doce avó de Joshua e Nádia Mendes, e mãe do bébé pré-falecido Joaquim.

Marcelina emigrou para o Canadá com a sua família em 1965. Fiel á sua forte ética de trabalho, começou o seu trabalho como costureira ao fim de poucos dias após ter saido do avião. Aqui, no Canadá, ela descobriu a Primeira Igreja Evangélica Portuguesa de Toronto, á qual se juntou e se envolveu, onde fez amizades para a vida toda.

A Marcelina será lembrada pela sua força, pela sua mente afiada, pelo seu coração altruista e pelo seu espírito generoso. Ela estava sempre pronta a por os outros antes de si mesma; apesar dos desafios da sua vida e em qualquer ocasião. Ela era a definição de uma lutadora, passando por qualquer luta com uma calma admirável. Esta grande força veio da sua melhor qualidade que era a grande fé, que tinha no Senhor Deus.

A saudade da Marcelina com o seu sorriso doce, comentários inteligentes, conversas carinhosas e as suas famosas broinhas, será grande; mas será celebrada todos os dias por todos os seus queridos que ficaram.

“O meu Socorro vem do Senhor, que fez o céu e a terra”

– Salmos 121:2

Visitation

Date
August 12, 2022
Location
Cardinal Funeral Home Bathurst Chapel
Time
02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Date
August 12, 2022
Location
Cardinal Funeral Homes Bathurst Chapel
Time
06:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Service

Date
August 13, 2022
Location
Cardinal Funeral Home Bathurst Chapel
Time
10:00 AM

Entombment

Date
August 13, 2022
Location
Elgin Mills Cemetery
Time
 

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August 12, 2022
Daniella Samulewski
Mario, sending love and strength during this very difficult time.
August 12, 2022
Hanif,Hannah,Tariq and Alysa Haji
Dear Mario, Laura, Joshua and Nadia, Our deepest condolences on the passing of Marcelina. We pray that her soul may rest in eternal peace. She is now with the Lord- safe and at home. As you mourn her loss, take comfort in all the amazing memories that you have of her and your time together on earth. She lived a full life and passed away peacefully in your home as was her wish. She was blessed to have you all look after her till the very end. May the Lord watch over you all and comfort you through this difficult time.
August 12, 2022
Mark and Clarerose Mascarenhas
Dear Mario, our deepest sympathy to you and family on the loss of your mother. Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow.
August 11, 2022
Goran and Jelica Vrana
Dear Mario, Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Heartfelt thoughts go out to you in this time of sorrow.
August 11, 2022
Julie Western Set
Mario , My deepest sympathy on the loss of your treasured Mother and Grandmother. The devotion of your family and the care that you provided is a true reflection of how very loved and special she was. God bless all of you as you mourn her passing and celebrate her life and legacy and as she rests in eternal peace where ‘underneath are the everlasting arms ‘. Julie
August 11, 2022
Leif Lahtinen & Barbara Walz
Barb and I send our deepest sympathies to you, Mario, and all your family. May many happy memories help ease the sorrow of this very difficult time. She will always be with you.