Born : 03.08.1942
Entered Bethany : 29.07.1964
First Profession : 15.05.1966
Perpetual Profession : 26.04.1972
Slept in the Lord : 26.01.2023
Sr M Ima BS (80) of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, Mangalore, passed away peacefully at 10.45 am on Thursday 26 January 2023 at Shanthi Rani Convent, Siddakatte due to Cardiac arrest. She hails from Mulki belonging to Immaculate Conception Parish of Mangalore Diocese. She is the daughter of the late Mr Monthu D’Souza and the late Mrs Cicilia D’Souza. She has six brothers and two sisters.
Sr Ima was a very prayerful person and had great devotion to the Holy Eucharist. She spent long hours before the Eucharistic Lord and drew enough strength to serve Him in the little children even to this day. She had a cheerful countenance and with a motherly heart she would approach all who came to her. In the community as well as in the KG school she was like an elder sister, a mentor and a guide giving moral support and accompaniment. She is very loveable and is loved by all. She is a lover of nature and whetever she planted would get life and yield in plenty.
Basically, she is a teacher by profession even before she joined Bethany. As an efficient and committed teacher she has rendered her services at Bangalore, Kinnigoli, Neerude, Puttur, Kirem, Karkal, Basrur, Padukone, Kowdur, Shubadha, Badyar, Kadaba, Ajekar and Siddakatte. She is acclaimed by the students as well as parents as one of the ‘Best Teachers’ because of her unique and creative teaching skills. She has ignited the lives of thousands of students through her life example, compassion and commitment. She has won the hearts of many children and peoplethrough her capturing smile and affectionate words.She was committed and loyal to the Congregation and had great respect to the authority. She had special love for our Revered Founder, Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas.
For few years she was suffering from heart disease and was under medication. Due to fever these days, she was feeling very weak and tired. On 26 January 2023, as usual she attended to all her personal works and had breakfast together with the sisters of the community. She complained of chest pain and breathlessness and immediately a doctor along with the nurse from Fr L M Pinto Health Centre rushed to attend on her. As the community sisters were around her she breathed her last and commended her soul to Christ. Indeed, in Sr Ima we have lost a simple and committed sister as she flew unexpectedly to her Creator God with much shock to all of us.
The funeral service of Sr M Ima BSwill be held at St Patrick Church, Siddakatte on Friday 27 January 2023 at 11.00 am.
I extend my sincere condolences to Sr Cicilia Mendonca, the Provincial Superior and all the sisters of Mangalore Province; Sr Sharon Preethi, the local Superior and the members of Shanthi Rani Convent, Siddakatte.
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace!
Sr Shanthi Priya BS
Asst. Superior General