Obituary of Cacilda Henriques Ferreira

FERREIRA, Cacilda Henriques (nee Pereira) – It is with heavy hearts and overwhelming love that we share that our beloved wife, Mãe (Mother) ,Avó (Grandmother) and Vóvó Cacilda Henriques Ferreira entered peacefully into our Lord’s loving embrace on February 25, 2023 at the age of 88, with the love of her life, Manuel Alcides Ferreira, by her side. Our Mãe will forever remain in our hearts as the most courageous, strong, compassionate, intelligent and beautiful role model, teacher and mentor any child could have. Our Mãe arrived in Canada from her birth home in Pessegueiro do Vouga, Portugal in 1968 with three little girls to join her husband on their journey to build a better life for their family, which grew with the addition of two sons. Our Mãe soon learned English by speaking with anyone and everyone she met, neighbours, at the store, on the bus, walking home - anywhere. Many times she would bring these new friends home to share in the bounty of her gardens and her seamstress artistic abilities. Our Mãe was a wonderful cook - acknowledging just last month that adding ‘salt’ to a dish wasn’t adding flavour. Her renowned dish, Avó's spaghetti is a signature tradition now made regularly by her grandchildren. To say that our Mãe had two hands of green thumbs would be an understatement. Rose bushes started from bouquets she received from children and grandchildren still adorn her garden. While cooking, sewing and gardening were parts of her life, her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were what sustained her soul.  All threads of her life were pulled and kept together by her deep and enduring Faith. Praying gave her hope and a sense of peace.

Our Mãe is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, Manuel, her daughters Margaret (John Doma) of Burlington, Zita (Dan Burns) of Bradford, Cristina (Mark Enright) of Collingwood and sons Leonel (Carissa) of Australia and Sergio (Michelle) of Lincoln.

Cherished Avó to her 16 grandchildren, Alexander (Monique), Elena (Matthew Ward), Stefan (Alexandra), Katarina Doma (James McLeod), Zachary (Emery de Marco) and Jacob Burns, Matthew, Sophie, Luke and Isabel Enright, Madison, Sienna and Jayden Ferreira and Olivia, Isaac and Julia Ferreira. Our Mãe is also Vóvó (Great grandmother) to 6 great grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews in Canada and Portugal.

Dear sister of Adriano de Lima, Portugal and sister-in-law of Celeste de Almeida, Sarnia and Albertina (Vasco) da Silva, Portugal. Predeceased by her cherished parents Antonio Pereira de Lima and Julia Pereira and 5 siblings along with her  beloved in laws Herminio Ferreira and Maria de Jesus Nogueira.

“Ate sempre Dona Cacilda”

We love you!

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 6, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the McKenzie & Blundy Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 431 N. Christina St., Sarnia.  A graveside service will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Lakeview Cemetery.  As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may send memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society of Sarnia, the Red Cross Sarnia, or Lambton Elderly Outreach. Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com.