With love and sadness, the family of Hema Muliyil announces her death on September 4, 2024. After a long, hard battle with cancer, she passed away peacefully at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital in Toronto.

Born Hemalatha Belinda Mary Zacharias, she was the third child of Victor and Grace Zacharias and is pre-deceased by her parents, husband Stanley Baldwin Muliyil, oldest brother (who died at birth) and sisters Elaine (known as Padma) and Jaya. She is survived by her children, Victor (Wendy), Shiela (John), Alan (Joy) and Bryan (Sally); granddaughters Stephanie (Mike) and Alison (Mitchell); grandson Dylan; great-granddaughter Leah, and sister-in-law, Pushpa.

Hema was born in Pappinisseri in the state of Kerala, India, and was raised in Calicut and Bombay (Mumbai), India. She grew up in turbulent times in the years just before the dissolution of the British Raj in 1947 and the partition of India into three separate countries, which resulted in a civil war. Her father Victor worked as a manager in the textile mills and he and Grace had to travel extensively, which meant Hema and her sisters often had to stay with relatives and for a time boarded in a Catholic convent although the family was Anglican (Protestant).

In 1960, she married Stan, the love of her life, and they had four children. For many years, they lived in a small Bombay penthouse along with several extended family members. Hema trained as a Montesorri teacher and taught in the garrison school, while Stan became a lawyer and worked for the Burmah Shell oil company.

In the 1970s, Hema and Stan and their children emigrated to Canada, living in Quebec for five years before moving to Brampton, Ontario. Their educational qualifications were not recognized by Canada, but Hema worked as a supply teacher and in office administration, while Stan made his career in the Standard Brands food company, which later became Nabisco Brands.

Moving to a new country they had never seen before was a huge adjustment for the whole family especially Hema and Stan, who while raising four young kids were also maintaining a home for the extended family back in India. Yet they never once complained about the heavy responsibilities they faced, the hard work required of them, and the emotional toll of leaving loved ones, friends, and their home country behind.

Hema and Stan worked very hard and sacrificed much to provide their children a wonderful life, but still found the time to enjoy a very active social life. They often entertained at their home, where extended family and friends were always welcomed warmly. In their later years, they took on the role of doting grandparents and most recently, Hema was thrilled to become a great grandmother.

Hema’s favourite activities were domestic things like gardening, cooking, sewing, knitting, and drawing. Her entire life was defined by kindness, selflessness, and devotion to everyone fortunate enough to know her. Although quiet and very shy, she loved nothing more than being surrounded by family and friends. She was the person who – in the midst of a noisy gathering – would notice someone standing alone in a corner and in her own humble way make them feel comfortable and welcome. She was the one everyone ran to when they were in trouble or afraid. She was the gentle soul who cared for birds with broken wings and people with broken spirits.

We love her with all our hearts and miss her more than we can say. With faith and hope, we let her go from this life to the next and look forward to the day when we will reunite with her in a place where there is no word for goodbye.