Christine Muriel de Souza

With profound sadness, but with hearts overflowing with love and gratitude, we celebrate the beautiful life of Christine Muriel de Souza, who peacefully passed away on May 21, 2026, after a courageous journey with pancreatic cancer. She was 80 years old.

Born on December 26, 1945, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Christine lived a life filled with grace, faith, resilience, beauty, and unconditional love. Though many knew her for her elegance and accomplishments, those closest to her knew that her greatest pride and deepest joy were always her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, the family she loved fiercely and prayed for faithfully every single day.

In 1965, Christine was honored as Miss Sri Lanka (Ceylon), later representing her homeland at the 1966 Miss International pageant held in Long Beach, California. She carried herself with poise and beauty, but her true radiance came from within, from her kindness, compassion, and unwavering devotion to those she loved.

In September 1966, she married Oriel Theodore Wanigasekera, Sr., beginning a journey that would take them across continents and countries through many chapters of her life. In April 1975, she courageously gathered her family and emigrated to Vancouver, Canada, later residing in Squamish, Canada from 1977 to 1985. In March 1985, Christine once again made the bold move and along with Oriel, made the move to California and made Torrance her home. There she began a successful career in Commercial Real Estate. Beginning as a Real Estate agent and later becoming a Broker, she proudly opened her own very successful brokerage, De Souza Investment Real Estate in Long Beach in 2004, a reflection of her determination, independence, and strong work ethic.

In 2012, Christine moved to Las Vegas, where she continued her Real Estate career and formed many beautiful friendships including that with her partner of 13 years. She continued to surround those she loved with warmth, wisdom, laughter, and prayer.

Christine was deeply rooted in her Catholic faith, which guided her through every triumph and hardship in life. Her faith was not simply something she practiced, it was who she was. She prayed constantly for her family, always asking God to “keep my children good, holy, and united.” Those words became the heartbeat of her life and the legacy she left behind.

She was the heart of her family, a loving mother, devoted grandmother, proud great-grandmother, cherished sister, aunt, partner, and friend. Her love was steady, selfless, and enduring. She gave comfort without being asked, strength without complaint, and love without limits.

Christine is survived by her loving children: Serena Bell; Dilki Tulette and Husband Jim; Ted Wanigasekera and Wife Mendy; and Ryan de Souza and Fiancée Bella Chen.

She also leaves behind her beloved longtime partner of 13 years, Ron Scharf.

She was a proud and loving grandmother to Danae Bell, Marisa Hearne, Sean Tulette, Ryan Wanigasekera, Mason Wanigasekera, Kaelie Tulette, Alyson Vetter, and Braxton de Souza; and

a treasured great-grandmother to Peytan Hearne, Harper Hearne, JD Seeley, and Levi Wanigasekera.

Christine is also survived by her brother, John de Souza and his wife Azeema, along with countless nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives were forever touched by her love and kindness.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Oriel Theodore Wanigasekera, Sr.; her beloved sister, Norma Modder; and her son-in-law, Gregory Bell.

There are some people whose presence becomes the foundation of a family. Christine was that

foundation. She was elegance with strength, beauty with humility, and faith with endless compassion. Though our hearts ache in her absence, we find peace in knowing that her love will continue to guide us, her prayers will continue to protect us, and her memory will forever live within us.

A mother’s love never truly leaves. It lives on in the family she nurtured, the values she instilled, and the countless lives she touched.

Forever loved.

Forever cherished.

Forever our Queen.

Funeral services and celebration of life arrangements will be held on June 29th, 2026 at St. Hedwig Church in Los Alamitos, CA at 11:00 AM.