Bethany Mangalore 17 April 2019:Sr Mary James BS (77) nee Leena Noronha of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore, went to her Heavenly Father’s abode on Wednesday 17th April 2019 at 5.45 p.m. in Shanti Ashram, Berhampur. Sr James is the second child among 11children of her parents Mr Raymond Noronha and Mrs Celestine D’Sa of Mangalore, born in a devout and loving Catholic family.
Sr. James had her childhood schooling under the wings of her parents in the ancestral place Bellore, Mangalore. As she grew up the family shifted to Kulshekar, Mangalore and she had her further education in Sacred Heart High School, Kulshekar and Higher Secondary Training at Rosa Mystica Gurpur. She joined Bethany in 1961 and made her first commitment in 1962. She began her mission in Bangalore and pursued her further studies of graduation, post graduation and B.Ed.
She worked as a Principal at Stella Maris, Sultanpur and as vice-principal of Junior College at Vasai, Dahanu Road and later at St Vincent’s School, Berhampur. She has rendered her valuable service as a teacher at Sultanpur, Naini in UP, Paradip and Berhampur in Orissa, Bathinda and Ludhiana in Punjab, Karnal in Haryana, Gadag and Bangalore in Karnataka. Even after her retirement she continued helping in the administrative works of our institutions.
S. James was a polite and soft spoken person and at times out spoken too. She had a wonderful capacity to bring out the creative skills of students entrusted to her care, and children simply adored her. In the words of Sr James, “I tried to radiate Christ by my word and example witnessing Bethany Spirit in my students and my colleagues”. She has faced challenges of life very bravely which had made her strong and sturdy.
She enjoyed good health. For the past some years she suffered from diabetes. But today (17th April, 2019) she had gone to school, had lunch with the community sisters at 1.00pm, read the news paper as usual till 3.00p.m. and then went to her room for some rest. Around 4.30 p. m. she sent word to Sr Shanti Priyal, the superior, who was working in the garden with the sisters. They right away rushed to her room and found her breathless.
They tried to ease her and gave her some water to drink. She just took two sips of water and then collapsed. Sisters tried to revive her but could not. They rushed her to the Hospital but she quietly flew to her beloved at 4.45pm. Her funeral rites will be held at Shanti Ashram, Berhampur on 19th April, 2019 at 11.00 a.m.
I express my sincere condolence to the members of Shanti Ashram, Berhampur, Odisha,and in a special manner to Sr. Shaila and her team members.
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord,
Let perpetual light shine on her.
May her soul rest in peace
(Sr M Rose Celine BS)
Superior General