Obituary of Carmel Marie Burgess

BURGESS, Carmel (DaSilva) – Peacefully and surrounded by family in Toronto, on November 19th, 2015, Carmel passed away at the age of 54. Loving and devoted mother, and friend, to Laura and Jonathan (and Reanne). Adored daughter of Joao and Rosa DaSilva, and cherished sister of Teresa Koppes (John), Mary-Jo Fernandes (Fernando), and Maria Blommers (Robert). Will be dearly missed by nieces and nephews Philip (Amanda), Jason (Pamela), Jennifer (Andreas), Jeffrey, Lisa (Peter), Tina (Spencer) and Julie (Matthew), and by great-nieces and nephews Clara, Brandon, Gabriel, Madelyn, Oliver and Henry. Always encouraging others to do the same, Carmel was an adventurist, an explorer, and an eternal optimist. There was no challenge she wasn't determined to overcome. She brought this fighting spirit to her extremely courageous battle with cancer, which she refused to be defined by. She will be greatly missed by friends with whom she spent many days hiking Mount Everest Base Camp, the West Coast Trail, and Machu Picchu. Her deep love for the lakes and oceans was known by all. Visitation will be held at the McKenzie & Blundy Funeral Home & Cremation Centre Ltd., 431 N. Christina St., Sarnia, 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm on Tuesday November 24th. A Mass of Christian Burial in celebration of Carmel's life will be held at Sacred Heart Church on Wednesday November 25th at 10:30 a.m. As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may send donations to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sarnia-Lambton, the beneficiaries of Carmel's multiple Climbs for Kids at 10 Lorne Crescent, Sarnia, N7S 1H8 or to Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, 610 University Ave., Toronto, M5G 2M9. (cheques only at the funeral home please). Messages of condolence or memories may be shared at www.mckenzieblundy.com.