Maria Rosalina Pacheco

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It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beautiful mother, Rosalina Pacheco, at home on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 after a heroic battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family and left this earth quietly and peacefully, on her terms. She leaves her loving children Mena (Jesse), Gracie (Joe), Len (Brenda) and Bob (Linda). Also grieving are her grandchildren David (Sónia), Andrew (Sonia), Tyler (Teya), Gary (Candace), Stephanie (Daniel), Jacob, Julia, Marissa and Felicia. Missing her also are her great-grandchildren Tatiana, Dalia, Vittoria, Christian, Joshua and Elias. She is predeceased by her husband, Manuel, and son Tony.

Mom was born in 1931 in Água de Pau, Lagoa, São Miguel, Azores to Antonio and Jorgina Furtado. She was the eldest daughter of 9 children, of whom 4 daughters survived, including her sisters Maria de Carmo, Maria dos Anjos and Maria Jose. Mom was always a kind and devoted daughter and sister who helped her parents and sisters with love by learning to do needlework and other skills, and becoming a dedicated catechist in her church. She made many friendships there that continued throughout her life. 

She met the love of her life, our father Manuel, at the tender age of 17 and courted him for 9 years, remaining true and faithful to him even when he immigrated to Canada to make a better life for them. They married in 1957 and mom had her first child the next year after dad had returned to Canada. She raised her with little but love and the support of her family and joined her beloved Manuel in Canada in 1960. Soon after, they were blessed with 4 more children. 

Mom was a brave young woman who, within a year of arriving in Canada, had learned to speak English and was soon helping other newly arrived immigrants with translation and support in navigating Canadian systems. Mom worked for a short time in a factory but due to some health issues had to quit. Being industrious and wanting to help contribute to supporting her family, she embarked on various jobs such as childcare and cleaning and taking in tenants. It was a busy household and that didn’t change when mom’s parents and sisters joined her in Canada, three families shared one home for several months. Mom and dad were kind and generous and were happy to help their family members settle here in Brampton. Mom continued to develop her many talents and was a skilled seamstress, embroiderer, knitter, crocheter, cook and gardener. 

The family moved to Peel Village in 1970, where new adventures awaited them including the birth of their fifth child. Sadly, life was not without tragedy and grief. In 1975 we lost our brother Tony in an auto accident, and our parents were never the same. However, clinging to her faith, Mom pushed onward and found joy in her children, family and friends. She loved to bake and cook and offer these treats to anyone in need or on special occasions. She was always the first to offer to make something and was ‘always thinking of others’. She had many friends all over the world and loved to speak on the phone and to visit with them. 

She and dad were overjoyed when the grandchildren started to arrive and she delighted in caring for them and showing love by feeding them great Portuguese food, telling them stories and offering them advice and guidance as they got older. She always had words of wisdom to impart to anyone and quoted Scripture often.

Mom experienced the loss of her parents over the years, but another devastating loss was the passing of our dear father in 2003. It was difficult for Mom to adapt to life without her ‘querido Manuel’, but with the love of her children and her undaunted spirit, again she soldiered on, turning her focus to the lush gardens Dad had planted in their yard. Under her meticulous and painstaking care, these gardens grew and were replete with all sorts of fruits and vegetables as well as a rainbow of various flowers It was her pride and joy to the end. 

Mom was a strong, intelligent, loving, generous woman who embraced her faith and turned to God and the Blessed Mother for sustenance. Her great joys were having her children (and grandchildren) together, especially at her home. She continued to give to others, even into the last days of her journey here on this earth.

We are devastated at her loss, but grateful that her suffering has ended and that she has entered into the splendour of Paradise where we hope she is greeted by her beloved Manuel and Tony. 

Rosalina (or ‘Rose’ to those closest to her) will be forever greatly missed by family and friends. We know mom was fiercely devoted to her faith and instilled that in her children. It was that faith that carried her often during the darkest moments of her brave battle with the dreaded cancer and the horrible pain. Even then she continued to be concerned for her family and others, and offered her suffering to God.

Our hearts are decimated at her loss and may never heal, as no one can fill the void she has left. But we must now rely on our faith and on each other for that same sustenance and hope to help us carry on and make her (and dad) proud. And we have to try and find comfort in knowing she is free of pain and in keeping all of our wonderful memories alive. We will love her forever and will always keep her in our hearts, prayers and actions.

We would like to thank so those of you who showed Mom love and kindness during this difficult year, and for your prayers and support. Your comforting words and gestures of love are truly appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made in Maria's name to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Click Here to Donate to the Canadian Cancer Society

Click Here to Donate to the Heart and Stroke Foundation