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Obituary of Cecilia (Sister Grace) Iria Melo AFONSO
November 16, 1938 - Aflitos, São Miguel, Portugal
July 30, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta
Cecilia Iria Afonso (Irmã Maria da Graҫa), “Tia” to many, passed away on Friday, July 30, 2021, at Dulcina Hospice at St. Marguerite Manor - Covenant Care, Calgary, AB.
Cecilia was born November 16, 1938, in Aflitos, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal. At a young age Cecilia joined the Pia União das Escravas Do Divino Coraҫão de Jesus – Aljustrel, Fatima, Portugal where she took the name of Irmã Maria da Graҫa (Sister Grace) and served the orphaned and elderly until 1987.
In 1987 Cecilia and mother joined her sister, Venilde in Calgary. Cecilia was a caregiver to her mother and extended family forming close relationships, notably with great nephews Mathew and Jesse Alves. Cecilia was known to many as “Tia”. She was a kind, caring and generous person, valuing the needs of others above her own, and uncompromisingly putting her heart into everything she did. God Bless her generous soul.
Cecilia is survived by her sister Venilde Alves, niece Cecilia (Michael) Deus, nephews, Jose Alves, Emanuel Alves (Joyce Decker), and Paulo Alves and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Thomas More Catholic Church (15 Templebow Road N.E., Calgary, AB) on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends are invited to join Cecilia’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Mausoleum. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.
Our deepest gratitude to the care providers at the Peter Lougheed Centre, Dulcina Hospice, Crystal Wong and the homecare team.
In living memory of Cecilia (Tia) Afonso, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.
