October 20, 1920 – July 12, 2018
It is with sadness that we announce the death of Thelma Olga de Souza (nee Davies) in her 98th year. Thelma was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Leo de Souza, her sister Anne, and brothers Sonny, Douglas and Stephen. She is survived by siblings Dianne, Joy and Robert Davies and Giselle Little. Thelma was a devoted mother of 6 children: Theresa, Tazik (Renate), Mary Di Pietro (Albert), Fran Hutton (Joseph), Phillip (Sandra), Margaret Griffin (Eric) and mother-in-law to Kay Canham (John Hostein). Thelma was predeceased by her children Mary (1991) and Phillip (2009) and carried her grief with her each day until her own death. We are comforted by the certainty that she is reunited with them now. She was the beloved grandmother of Michele nee de Souza (Jason Rees), Adrienne de Souza (Ronald Morriss), Meghan de Souza (Paul Goertz), Christi Di Pietro, Lisa Di Pietro (Paul Turpin), Elizabeth Di Pietro (James Flanagan), Shane Hutton (Denice), Laura nee Hutton (Nelson Pinto), Monica nee Griffin (Mathew Fisher) and Richard Griffin. She was the loving great-grandmother of Mary-Ashley Di Pietro (Shane Grant), Jack and Maddi Westbrook, Mackenzie and Campbell Turpin, the twins Jake and Angus, and Lenny Flanagan, Olivia and Darcy Morriss, and Catherine Fisher. The grief we feel is lessened by our knowledge of Thelma’s unwavering faith, and we are reassured that we will once again be reunited with her. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Turner Family Funeral Home in Dundas, ON. Visitation is Tuesday, July 17, 1-3 pm at St James Anglican Church, 137 Melville St., Dundas, ON. Funeral service at 3:30 p.m. A reception celebrating Thelma’s life will follow in the church hall. We wish to extend special thanks to St. Elizabeth’s home care service and Thelma’s special caregivers: Marie, Bibi, Sabina, Laura, and Stacey. In lieu of flowers a donation made to Heart and Stroke Foundation, Epilepsy York, or Sick Kids’ Hospital would be greatly appreciated.
Dear Theresa and family – your Mom has had a rich and beautiful life and has earned her place in the arms of Jesus. Keep up your courage for each other during the coming days. l God bless you all. Judith
Sincere condolences on the loss of your mother.
Mom, you will be missed and thought of more often than anyone would know. You taught me many things in life. Two things in particular helped me to get through tough times and still stands out most in my mind: “Face life as bravely as possible” and “Have one good laugh every day.” Mom had a strong will and when she set he mind to something, she got it done. She taught herself to crochet and knit – I still wear my red and white shawl and winter hats which remind me of her each time I put them on. Mom taught me how to sew and was pleased that my skill helped me to earn some cash, working from home, while my children were not yet in school. I remember her laughter, her singing, her bravery when our son almost choked to death at the age of 2, her compassion for others, and her love of God. Mom loved the sound of children laughing; it made her laugh too. She loved animals and at times took in birds with broken wings, glued their feathers back into place, then nursed them back to health before setting them free. “Walter”, a pigeon she assisted, was set free one Fall day and he came back to her dining room window for about 7 years each Spring. When Walter did not show up the following year, mom shed a few tears as she expressed to me that “if he could, he would have come back to see me”. Mom enjoyed her gardens and flowers. I have three peony bushes and a group of purple Irises, planted at our house, which were transplanted from mom’s garden at the old house on Burrows Ave. I look forward to the blooms each year and will continue to do so.
When I was a little girl, in Trinidad, I would sit and watch mom put on her face makeup and powder. A tube of lipstick was all she needed for lips and cheeks, then a little powder and she was off to face a new day. It still makes me smile to think of her dabbing lipstick on my cheeks and calling it “rouge”. She surely knew how to stretch a dollar, and I guess this was just another way that she could save a few pennies here to give where it was needed more somewhere else. LOL, I guess this is another lesson learned Mom.
Theresa and family. My sincere condolences on the passing of your mother. I am sure that she has gone to her well deserved peaceful rest. Christine Jaronik
Our sincere sympathies and condolences on the loss of your mother. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
Margaret, Eric, Theresa and Family so very sorry for the loss of your Mother. Your fond memories with her will keep her near always
I met Thelma after she had her stroke. Most of what I know about her life I have learned from her son and daughters. I picture Thelma an independent, adventurous person. I am from an immigrant family and I appreciate the challenges of moving and integrating a family to a new country and a new culture. Over the years I have met Thelma’s daughters and sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of who are honest, decent, caring people. Hats off to Thelma for being the matriarch of such a fine family.
I am sorry I can’t be there tomorrow. I will be with you in spirit.
Renate
Sorry for your loss. My sincere condolences.
Dear Fran and family – So sad to hear of your Mother’s passing. I know your family will benefit greatly by your love and strength for each other.
Dear Margaret, Ted, Eric, Monica, Richard, Matt, and Catherine, and to the whole extended deSouza family, permit me to extend the warmest condolences from my sister Julie, her family, and me on your mother’s passing. I know how central she was to everyone’s lives; that you are the amazing, loving people you are is a reflection of her spirit. Wishing everyone peace and the joy of a lifetime of loving memories. – David
Dear Mag, Ted and family,
So sorry for your loss but I know she is now in a better place.She was a force to be reckoned with and I was in awe of her when I was a little girl. Nobody could have cared for her more completely than Ted did with help from Mag, Eric, Monica, Richard and Christie. I believe she is now at pease with Leo , Mary and Phil. Much love, Marie and family
My Dearest Gram, I’m sorry I’m not there to say goodbye. You were there to kiss skinned knees, cuddle in the middle of the night when everyone slept and we listened to the radio, never too tired for just one more game of Chinese checkers, the hat collection you made me and so much more. I would never be able to thank you enough. You told me when I left Canada that we would meet again, I know that’s true. I love you so much, Elizabeth x
Dougie’s Family.
When Dad died in January 1996. Auntie Thelma wrote me a letter, that confirmed what I had already understood.
She said my Brother was my Protector. And when they were separated, as children. their lives were torn apart.
Life deals us difficult situations, to make us STRONG.
You my Family. Have had the most BEAUTIFUL experience, of your Lives.
I know. Because that same Brother who Protected Her, protected us.
They will never be SEPARATED. Again.
Floyd, Tommy, Digby, Chester, Rory.
Dearest Aunt Thelma..
You’ve always been in my thoughts..
Though the visits were not as frequently..
Seems to be a thing with family..
Or is it just me in particular..
Rest peacefully in eternal slumber..
Rory Davies
Deepest sympathies to the deSouza family on behalf of the Davies family..
Dear Auntie Thelma, I am so grateful for all of your love and kindness throughout my life. No one else has ever knitted me a sweater for Christmas except for you. I will always cherish the memories I have of you. It was such a treat to visit your house and get to pick out a book to read from the endless selection of stories on shelves that towered to the ceiling! Your home was a paradise to book lovers like me and I always felt like you did a great job standing in for my grandparents who were far away in Trinidad. You lived a full and long life and I picture you happily reunited with Uncle Leo, Auntie Anne, Uncle Dougs and Auntie Mary. I’m glad my children got to meet you and that we had the opportunity to spend some time with you both in 2016 and 2017. On our second to last visit, you gave me a small ceramic bunny from your tea tin. She has a place of honour beside my fairy queen on her throne. I know you would approve :). You will always and forever be in my heart. Love and kisses, Brigitte & family