Carmelita Celine Ramalho

Passed away on Saturday April 30th, 2016 at Hawthorn Woods Care Community LTC , in Brampton with family by her side. Carmelita Carvalhal (Moms) was born on February 20, 1917 in the little village of Belladrum, 60 km East of Georgetown, the Capital of British Guyana. She was the eldest of 9 children born to Antonio and Philomena Carvalhal. In June, 1938 she married Domingo Ramalho (Pops) and together they too had 9 children. Pops passed away on June 22, 1981 at the age of 68 but Moms carried on, eventually attaining the grand old age of 99 years, 2 months and 10 days. Over her long and eventful life time she gave birth to 9 children and watched her family grow by adding 29 Grand Children, 56 Great Grand Children and 11/2 Great, Great, Grand Children. She was also the best Mother in Law any man or woman could ever hope to have. Mom was more than simply a Mother to us all. She was the Matriarch of the family and the glue that held us together. By her unselfish love and her willing and generous spirit, she showed us how to live in peace and harmony with one another and thus enjoy the blessing of a strong and fruitful family unit. We are indeed truly blessed to have had her as our Mother, Guide and Mentor all these years. Family and friends may gather at the Andrews Community Funeral Centre - 8190 Dixie Road, Brampton (North of Steeles Avenue) 905-456-8190, on Wednesday, May 4th , 2016 from 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Jerome's Roman Catholic Church, 8530 Chinguacousy Rd, Brampton, Ontario at 11:00am. Interment to follow at Assumption Catholic Cemetery, 6933 Tomken Rd, Mississauga, ON. She was loved in life and will not be forgotten in death. Donations in Carmelita’s memory may be made to Alzheimer Society. Online condolences and information at www.andrewscommunityfuneralcentre.com

The story is told of a gardener who cultivated the most exquisite roses. His blooms were famous for their striking beauty, perfect form, vibrant colours and intoxicating aroma. One year his rose bush produced a magnificent rose that far outshone all previous ones and every morning, as the gardener entered the garden, he would pause for a while to admire its stunning beauty and inhale its delicate perfume. But one morning as he approached the rose bush he noticed that his extraordinary creation was missing. With a loud voice he called out to his assistant and demanded to know what had happened to his favorite rose. The assistant explained that earlier that morning the King, the owner of the garden, came into the garden and fell in love with the beautiful rose. He then ordered that it be plucked and taken into the palace to form the center piece of the floral display on his banqueting table.The old gardener was devastated by this news. He knew that the King, the owner of the garden, was entitled to any bloom in the garden, but he couldn't help grieving over the loss of his precious rose. No longer would he be able to marvel at its beauty or admire its exquisite form and colour, all he had left to remind him of his masterpiece, was its perfume that permeated the entire garden. On Saturday, April 30, 2016, the King of this garden we call Earth, came into His garden and saw Carmen in all her heavenly splendor. Approaching her, he whispered tenderly. “My dear, I can’t bear to spend another day without you, come, let me introduce you to my Father” and taking her gently by the hand, He led her into the palace and sat her down at the place of honour at the banqueting table. Like the gardener in the story, we are saddened by her loss for no longer will we be able to admire her dazzling smile or marvel at her nimble wit, however, the memory of her will linger in our hearts like the perfume of that magnificent rose.

So rest in peace, Dearest Mother, until we meet again.