FONTOURA, Ermezinda Lopes 1940 - 2009 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our loving mother, wife and grandmother. After a long courageous battle with cancer, mom passed away peacefully at the Kelowna Hospice Center on September 8, 2009.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Albino, daughters: Goret Fontoura (Larry Gilchuk), Cristina
Fontoura (Neil Ringwood); grandchildren: Zachary and Madeleine; brother: Lourenco (Admira) Lopes, many nieces, nephews and extended family. She was predeceased by her parents, Joao and America Lopes. Mom was born in Boucoais, northern Portugal and immigrated to Canada in February 1962 as a young bride. She settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she lived and worked until her retirement in 1984. She realized her dream of retiring to Portugal where she lived six months of the year and the other six months in Kelowna. Mom was a devoted wife and mother, her children and grandchildren were the center of her life. She never tired of sharing stories of her beloved grandchildren. She loved life and loved to travel, especially her cruises to the Greek Islands, Monaco and Egypt and her trip to Brazil. One of the highlights of her time in
Portugal was meeting her friends at the local “café” for coffee and catching up on news. Mom left us much too soon and we’ll miss her terribly but will take comfort in knowing that she’s at peace and her suffering is over.
We would like to thank Dr. Elizabeth Perry for her compassionate care and a special thank you to mom’s good friend Georgina Alves for all her time, help and friendship throughout mom’s illness. Prayers will be held on Friday, September 11, 2009 at 7:00 pm and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 10:00 am from St. Theresa’s Catholic Church,
750 N. Rutland Road, Kelowna, BC with Father Otto Rollheiser OMI as celebrant. Interment to follow in
St. Theresa’s Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com, 250-860-7077