Sad Demise
Sr. Stella Maria D’Souza of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Date of Birth : 22.01.1952
Date of joining Bethany : 24.05.1970
Date of First Profession : 30.04.1975
Date of Final Profession : 08.05.1981
Slept in the Lord : 11.09.2020
“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever”. (Ps: 23:6)
These words of the scripture are very appropriate here as Sr Stella Maria who was found well disposed by the bridegroom to respond to His call and she was lovingly carried away by Him into His bosom gently on 11th September at 5.00pm in the 45th year of her religious life and 68th year of her life. Having accomplished faithfully the mission assigned to her on this earth, she peacefully returned to her creator.
Sr. Stella Maria D’Souza nee Stella Mary D’Souza hails from Holy Family Parish Omzoor, Mangalore, Karnataka and at present Fermai Parish. She was the third child among the seven children of Late Mr. Sebastian D’Souza and Late Mrs. Christine D’Souza. She is the only sister for six brothers. Sr Stella Maria was born on 22ndJanuary, 1952 and joined Bethany in the year 1970 after completing her high school studies at Board Higher Secondary School at Benjanapadavu, Omzoor. Having completed her initial formation she made her first commitment in1975 and final commitment in 1981. After her First Profession in 1975she served as a loving and dedicated teacher in our institutions at Dahanu, Mahim (Maharastra), Bathinda (Punjab), Naini (UP), Faridabad (Haryana), Pithoragarh(Uttarakhand) and Jinkpani (Jharkhand), Paradip, Berhampur and Badibahal(Odisha). She was also candidates’ in charge at Badibahal, McMandro and Kadru. She was residing at Bethany Convent, Nanthoor from 26.05.2014 for medical treatment. She was treated for Chronic Kidney Disease and was undergoing dialysis at Fr. Muller’s Hospital, Kankanady.
After her last dialysis on 31 August 2020 she was brought back from the hospital. Last night she became very sick and breathless. The journey of Sr Stella Maria to the heavenly abode was very peaceful. She was always cheerful, kind and child like. We miss her deeply.
I request your prayers that our dear Lord may grant her eternal rest.
I extend my sincere condolences to Sr Shaila, the Provincial Superior and her team and also to Sr Smithanjali the Superior and the members of Bethany Convent, Nanthur for their love and support to Sr Stella especially during her illness.
Eternal rest grants unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her; may she rest in peace.
-Sr M Rose Celine BS
Superior General