It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since we said goodbye. I find comfort in the strength you left behind. You were the rock of our family, the glue that held us together through every challenge. Your deep moral standards were the compass that guided us, and your unwavering determination made us who we are today.

Your persistent drive for our success wasn’t just about us reaching our goals; it was about making sure we stood on a foundation of values, hard work, and love. Everything we are is a reflection of the strength you instilled in us.

Today, we honor you, not just in our memories but in the way we continue to live our lives—strong, united, and always striving for better, just as you taught us.

We miss you, Mom, but your spirit lives on in every success, every act of love, and every moment of family unity. Thank you for everything.

Abe Lincoln once said "In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years."

We are here today to celebrate Mom Eileen's life. She touched so many of us with her strength, determination, and unwavering love. I remember her as a self-made woman, a homemaker, and a mother.

As a self-made woman, Mom lived a life that was both simple and with countless moments of joy, hardship, and triumph. Born into an era that demanded resilience, she faced life's challenges head-on especially after the sudden passing of my Dad Patrick at the age of 44. She raised 4 of us single-handedly and leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing her. She was a pillar of strength, support, and a strong presence that guided us through the ups and downs of life.

As a homemaker. Mom was fiercly protective of the family unit and was accomplished, efficient, innovative and clinical when it came to homemaking. We jokingly remember her as our sargent major; discipline was a ritual - shape up, put you best foot forward and respect others. I owe Mom not only for instilling in me those precious values, but for all the little and big things she did for us.

As a mother she was the glue that kept the family together. Her strength, her tough love kept us anchored in reality. I will be forever grateful for her wisdom, nuturing and unfailing love. Her spirit will guide me, reminding me to embrace life with determination, to love, and to speak the truth.

Her loyalty was on full display during my sister Marie's struggle with illness and her passing which brought our family closer together. I am grateful to Benita for her support, care and compassion that she bore single-handedly over the last few years.

Mom, May you find eternal peace, knowing that your legacy lives on through the lives of your surviving children and those you touched. Rest well in God's Heavenly abode.

I Doug together with my siblings Benita & Terence, thank you all for coming here this morning to celebrate her life & to help us say a final goodbye to my Mom Eileen.  Her soul undoubtedly is in heaven rejoicing in her reunion with her beloved husband my dad Pat,  who left us suddenly over 54 years ago, and her daughter, my sister Marie who passed away 3 years ago. 
My Mom was a brave & resilient woman. Widowed at a relatively early age she  contended with raising 4 children. With a little coaxing, she finally gave up her well established lifestyle in Bombay, and immigrated to the USA. She initially made a home with us in California, before moving to St. Louis where my sister Marie lived, & finally to NO where Benita has her home. My mother was blessed with relatively good health, and an amazing memory. She was our ‘go to’ person for names of relatives & dates of birthdays & anniversaries. Mom was a very social person & loved meeting people. She also loved music & a good party. She traveled to California for my son’s wedding when we had a joyous reunion of the whole family not knowing it would be the last one. In The past few months we saw moms health start to deteriorate, and so did her memory. 
Thank you Benny for helping mom through the years she’s been here and going the extra mile to keep her comfortable to the very end. Also a thank you to Terence who stepped in to help when required.
In the words of writer Matthew Jacobson, “behind every young child, who believes in himself, is a parent, who believed first”.
Mom, you were that parent for us your children. Thank you. Enjoy heaven.

Grandma/Great-Grandma, thank you for your love, wisdom, and guidance. You were the foundation of our family, always encouraging us to be the best versions of ourselves. Without fail, you told us what we needed to hear, passing on lessons learned through many years of experience. It is astounding the many things you’ve witnessed and experienced over nearly a century: two world wars, The Great Depression, space flights including the first man on the moon, inventions such as the television,  the computer, the smartphone, and so many more.   Through all of this, you never strayed from your Catholic faith and love of family.  We’re so happy that you’re finally able to be with Mom, Dad, Grandpa Pat, and your siblings who have passed. Enjoy Heaven with them!

Our Three Grande Dames of New Orleans. 
Much loved - all of them - by their daughters and New Orleans friends. Thank you for the memories we will cherish of all three of you. Each made our lives richer in their own ways. We love you SO much.
Eileen Fernandes, Pam Fernandes, Mani Guzdar

A. Eileen was an inspiration to us in the New Orleans community and it was our privilege to have spent time with her. We will miss not seeing her around anymore. 
Her zest for life and her many interests and activities well into her 90’s was very commendable. She enjoyed meeting people, kept her culinary skills sharp, had a keen interest in sewing and loved to talk and laugh. She was blessed with a long and active life and may her soul now rest in peace.
Our condolences to her family that lovingly cared for and supported her all these years. You could see her glowing in love and pride for them and she undoubtedly gave them plenty of wonderful memories to cherish.
Sarita & Vivian Fonseca

Eileen and Pat were friends of my parents, somewhere around the 1950's. I was in college then, and we would meet every Sunday at the Blessed Sacrament Church, Colaba, South Mumbai. After Mass, my parents and Eileen and Pat would stand and chat a bit outside the church. Then again, we caught up with each other when I would visit my in-laws in Pune. She was always so warm, friendly, and full of the joys of life! Many years later somewhere around 2001, I would meet her on my annual visits to New Orleans to meet my daughter Sarita and Vivian, her husband. Since we did not live near each other, we used to have long chats on the phone and among other things, catch up with Mumbai news of all our common friends.

Eileen was an excellent cook and seamstress. I am forever indebted to her, as she taught me to crochet, and under her supervision and expertise I was able to successfully crochet blankets for each of my 6 grandchildren in New Orleans, Montreal and Vancouver. It was an excellent way to pass my time fruitfully, whilst gifting my grandchildren my labor of love for them.
 
Eileen lived a full and long fruitful life and passed away peacefully. May her soul rest in peace.

I never got the opportunity to meet EILEEN. But I have read it all here and able to understand what a lovely person Eileen was. Her radiant smile is so infectious.
I can imagine how tenacious a person Eileen was.  To lose her husband so early and to  overcome all challenges, whilst bringing up her young children with best education and values. Truly hats off to Eileen. What a wonderful MOTHER she has been to her children.
I understand Eileen lived a good Catholic life  and I know she is up with Lord Jesus and our Mother Mary.
May her soul rest in Peace. 
My condolences to all the family members. 
God bless you all.
TONY BARRETTO,
Silver Niche, 
St. Francis Avenue,
9821111020.

Dear Terence, Jenny and all the family, 

Please accept our sincere condolences on the demise of your dear mother. 

I probably met her twice in all these years. But I admire how well she brought up her children despite being a young widow. I also admire her many talents that she put to good use. Eileen always struck me as one capable woman.

May her soul rest in eternal peace. 

A. Thelma, Liz and Arthur

Thank you grandma/ mom for the good times we shared and the great memories to cherish. We love you and will miss you.
 Enjoy heaven!
Lygia, Doug, Karen, Byron/Patty

A. Eileen with Suzanne, U. Dick and Reggie (Desmond's brother) - Jan 1984

A. Eileen with Suzanne at their wedding- Jan 1984

Dear Benita, Doug and Terence,

Kindly accept our condolences on your great loss. Sending much love and comfort during this sad time. Muriel and Derek

With Natasha at Benita and Cyril's home in NO.

I’d like to narrate a short story about A. Eileen. It must’ve been around 1999 ish and in those days, you could accompany a passenger all the way to their boarding gate.  A. Eileen came to visit us in Chicago, and we were dropping her back to the airport. We were running late and reached the gate with just a few minutes to spare. The gate check-in crew told us to hurry up and were not happy we were the last ones. Despite all this chaos, A. Eileen tells them sternly “Please wait. I have something to do”. She very calmly digs into her handbag, taking her own sweet time, while Nats and I nervously tried to avoid the gaze of the airline staff and  fishes out a Ziploc of Xmas kul kuls, telling us she had made this for us. Family was an important part of her life and both Nats and I were so touched by this gesture. Of course, the kul kuls got polished  (by Nats) before we even made it to the airport parking lot.

I have many fond memories of her in the Santa Cruz apartment and visiting her in Chesterfield, MO and New Orleans.

Rest in Peace, dear A. Eileen.

OBITUARIO

Eileen Mathias Fernandes

10 mayo, 1925 – 9 octubre, 2023

Westside/Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home

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