Rose D’Souza (85) was born to Simon and Piadade D’Souza of Fajir Parish in Mangalore, India on July 6th 1923. She was the youngest child in a family of 14 children of which many passed away while they were infants. Her oldest sister Maria got married at the age of 12 and died within a year. Her other siblings: Bridgit Boromeo (Angelore); Sr. Geoanna, of the Sisters of Charity; Sebastian (London) and Gilbert D’Souza (Bombay) entered their adult life and now they are all deceased.
When Rose was an infant, their family migrated to Angelore Parish in Mangalore. Rose went to Guardian Angel’s Elementary School and completed her 7th Standard. Rose married Gaulbert D’Souza, a famous ladies tailor from Falnir, Mangalore in the year 1945 at the age of 22 and after marriage they made their permanent residence in Nanthur, Mangalore. Rose and Gaulbert were blessed with 9 children – Leonilla (Ligoury), Victor (died at the age of 2), Austin (Terry), Norbert, Dorothy (Godwin), Stany (Vissia), Melville (Merlyn), Felix (Lorraine) and Queenie (Jossie.)
Rose was a tireless and dedicated housewife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who kept herself always busy doing little and big chores 24 hours a day. Taking care of her children was her number one priority, looking at their homework, cooking, cleaning, and also helping her husband with minor clothing alterations. Rose was a very religious lady who never missed Sunday mass with her envelopes of donations no matter how sick she was. She would wake up all her children early in the morning and make them attend daily mass at Carmelite Monastery, Carmel Hill, Mangalore. Her smiling face and tender loving eyes would clearly show the reflection of her genuine love and care of all she came in contact with.
Rose was born in Mangalore, India and migrated to the US in 1985 and was a resident of Forest Park ever since. She attended St. Bernardine’s Church for her religious needs and never went to sleep without reciting a whole rosary and praying for the entire world. Her personal diamonds were her nine children who excelled in education and life. She leaves behind three daughters, Leonilla (Ligoury); Dorothy (Godwin); Queenie (Jossie); five sons, Austin (Terry); Norbert; Stany (Vissia); Melville (Merlyn); Felix (Lorraine); sixteen grand children, Allen (Travissa); Albina (Arun); Anita, Gail, Gwayne, Anil, Niketha, Atina, Angel, Joey, Shawn, Travis, Cheryl, Shannon, Jason, Ashley and one great-grandchild Baby Keira.
Rose was a Charter Member of The Forest Kala Sampath Lions Club and was always present at all meetings or programs. Her humanitarian heart attracted many needy people to her and those friendships are alive today and are her best friends. We lost Rose today, March 22, 2008 @ 4:30 p.m. at Loyola Hospital after a short illness caused by a collapse of both of her lungs.
Today we lost our loving mother at Loyola Hospital after a short illness. Please keep her Daughters –Leonilla, Dorothy, Queeine; Sons – Austin, Norbert, Stany, Melville, Felix, family members and close friends in your thoughts and prayers.
Rose was a tireless and dedicated mother, grandmother and great grandmother who were always a smiling face to show her love and affection to all. Se was a Charter Member of The Forest Kala Sampath Lions Club who never missed any meetings or programs. Her humanitarian heart attracted many needy people, who were her best friends.
Rose was born in Mangalore, India and migrated to the US in 1985 and was a resident of Forest Park ever since. She was very close to God who always used to attend St. Bernardine’s Church for her religious needs and never went to sleep without reciting a whole rosary. Her personal diamonds were her eight children who excelled in education and life. She left behind three daughters, five sons, sixteen grand children and one great grand child.
Her wake will be at the Woodlawn Funeral Home, 7750 W. Cermak Road, Forest Park, Illinois 60130; Phone: 708-442-8500. (Corner of Des Plaines Avenue and Cermak Road.) There will be a ‘Lions Service’ at 79:30 p.m. Visitation: Monday, March 24, 2008 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Funeral will be held at St. Bernardine’s Church, 7246 W. Harrison Street, Forest Park, IL 60130 at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2008. Thereafter interment in Queen of Heaven Cemetary, 1400 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, IL 60162.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested your tax deductible donations to: “Sight First II.” Checks should be made payable to Lions Clubs International Foundation and mailed to: Austin D’Souza, 906 Dunlop Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130.