MARIA SANTOS

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MARIA SANTOS I had a dream I was moving forward Floating gently to the sun I've come to see my world rewarded A new day has begun. Maria lived her life with enthusiasm, joy and independence. This is also the way she chose to fight cancer. On January 26, 2005, Maria passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family at St. Boniface Hospital, at the age of 50 years. She was predeceased by her father in 1991. Maria will be greatly missed by her loving husband Armindo Santos; mother Rosa Nunes; daughter Carla and son Rui; brother Alvaro; sisters, Ilda (Joaquim), Eduarda (Keith); sister-in-law Odete; nephews in Portugal, John (Claudelle) and Richard; niece Elizabeth in Portugal, Fatima (Bram), Deanna and Angela, great nieces and nephews in Portugal and Winnipeg, plus numerous other relatives in Portugal. Maria will also be missed by her friends in Canada and Portugal. Maria was born in Ovar, Portugal on February 3, 1954. She was educated there and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1976. After graduation, she worked for 3 years in a laboratory at a chemical company. In 1979, at the age of 25, she decided to move to Canada to join her family. In Winnipeg she worked for 2 years for the Portuguese Association of Manitoba, teaching Portuguese language and culture to Portuguese-speaking children. From 1979, she also worked full time for the National Testing Laboratories as a chemist then as a lab manager. She left in 2004, when her illness prevented her from continuing to work. Work was one of the many things that kept Maria busy. She most enjoyed the challenges and close friendships she formed with her co-workers. She was also a very dedicated mother. Her family was the priority of her life. Maria persevered through all her treatments with great faith, optimism, bravery and courage. The family extends their thanks to Dr. Wanda Dabrowska, her nurse Lori and all the nurses from chemotherapy at CancerCare, St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care Unit, as well as doctors and nurses from palliative care at Riverview Heath Centre. Eulogy will be held on Friday, January 28 at 5:15 p.m. at Immaculate Conception, Roman Catholic Church, 181 Austin St. N. with prayers being said at 5:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 29 at 1:00 p.m. also at the Church with Rev. Fr. Jose Eduardo Medeiros as celebrant. Interment will be in Portugal. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maria's memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, 93 Sherbrook St. Winnipeg, MB R3C 2V7. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 28, 2005