In Memoriam: A very special Nairobi lady: Maria Agatha Illa Almeida Coutinho

 

In Memoriam: A very special Nairobi lady: Maria Agatha Illa Almeida Coutinho

Dear Cyprian,

Thank you so very much for walking with me at this time.

Please know how touched I am to receive your e-mail and how grateful I am for your prayers, love and support.

I apologise that it has taken me this long to respond, but

please also know, that I am coming along well.

Mama had a rare type of skin cancer. It was first detected in early 2017... a large pea size growth on the left rear of her scalp - at the time, thought to be a benign sebaceous cyst. 

While never painful or bothersome, it grew progressively. 

In October of 2020 it was surgically removed and diagnosed to be cancerous. 

The growth re-emerged towards mid 2021. Later that year, in November, Mama went through a massive 10 hour, double surgery to remove the scalp growth and a related lymph node in her neck.

A series of further major surgeries followed in December, January and February, and an almost year long treatment/therapy at home till September 2022. 

The cancer and growth re-emerged late first quarter of 2023. Any type of surgical procedure and/or treatment at this point was deemed too invasive and harmful to Mama. 

Aside from the periods around surgeries and the months of therapy at home in 2022,

Mama went about life as if nothing was harming her, right up to the very last.

I have attached a compilation of photos here, that I had shared on Whatsapp on May 24th, Feast of Mary Help of Christians. leading up to Mama's month's mind on May 29th, which took place at St. Jude's Chapel at the 07:00 a.m. Mass, which she used to attend daily.

She passed away on Monday morning, 29th April at 07:00 a.m.

1. Maria Agatha Illa Almeida Coutinho

2. Mama's Plaque

3. Mama's Casket - St. Austins Church, Friday 03rd May 2024

4. L-R  Capuchin Friars Stephen, Emmanuel, Charles, Giletta and me.

Giletta is a friend to Mama for 69 years. 

The names of the other unseen, all women pall bearers are Sika, Ciru, Hellen, Levaine, Tina and Esther - all significant in Mama's life, in one way or another.

Fr. Emmanuel and Fr. Stephen are fellow Laudato Si' Circle members of the St. Jude's LS Circle, which is led by Tina.

5. Fr. Luis Saldanha with his assistant Michael.

6. Some ladies of the 07.00 a.m. Mass, St. Jude's Chapel Community, with Fr. Charles - Friday 03rd May, St. Austin's Church.

7. Fr. Emmanuel and I, after laying Mama's ashes, about to plant a yellow rose plant atop. - Wednesday 08th May afternoon at Mt. Carmel Chapel Garden, after Fr. Emmanuel said Mass at 03.00p.m. at the chapel.

8. Yellow Rose planted atop Mama's ashes - Wednesday 08th May 2024 Mt. Carmel Chapel Garden

9. Sr. Regina, Sister In Charge at Mt. Carmel Convent

Mary, Help of Christians – 24th May 2021

 With the ongoing #GlobalRosary #PrayerMarathon, that Pope Francis launched in this Marian month of May, to ask for the end of the pandemic, today is a particularly special day for me.

Today is the sixth anniversary of Pope Francis profound encyclical, Laudato Si’, which he presented on 24th May 2015 - the feast day of Mary, Help of Christians. As a Laudato Si’ Animator, it is not lost on me why he chose this day.

“She treasures the entire life of Jesus in her heart (cf. Lk.2;19,51), and now understands the meaning of all things. Hence, we can ask her to enable us to look at this world with eyes of wisdom.” LS 241

Today’s Global Rosary, will be from the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes at Nyaunglebin, (diocese of Yangon), Myanmar. Its special intention is for all essential workers. Yesterday’s Rosary special intention, at Notre Dame du Cap, Trois Rivieres, Quebec, was for law enforcement officers, military personnel and firefighters.

Like military personnel & firefighters, I consider police officers to be essential workers too. My Dad was born in Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma). He was a police officer for 33 years in the Kenya Police Force. After his retirement from the force, he worked for a private security firm for 21 years, thereafter.

Kenya Police colleagues 1960.

Just as I consider law enforcement officers, military personnel and firefighters to be essential workers, I consider parents to be essential workers too. My Mum and Dad chose the feast day of Mary, Help of Christians, 24th of May 1961, to get married.

They sure had their work cut out for them, raising me a few years later! Today would have marked their 60th wedding anniversary.

St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, Eastleigh, Nairobi, 24th May 1961

 

 

Joining the #GlobalRosary this evening, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes at Nyaunglebin Myanmar, 06:00 p.m. Rome, 07:00 p.m. Nairobi, I have much to ponder, pray and be thankful for.

Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us and the whole world. 🌏🌍🌎❤️

 

Chris J.A. Coutinho, Laudato Si’ Animator Nairobi, Kenya, 24th May 2021

condolences to a1chrisjc@yahoo.com