Linda Brunton (Friend--Neighbour to leno)

Entered January 14, 2020 from Port Perry

My condolances to Leno and Donna and family. So difficult to say goodbye, but cherish the memories. Love Linda

Keith and Jan Rainey (Friend of George and Kim and family)

Entered January 14, 2020 from Waterford

Our thoughts are with all of you as we send deepest sympathy, love and hugs.

Pat and Sandra Reynolds (Friend)

Entered January 15, 2020 from Mississauga

Thoughts and prayers to the whole family.

Carol Chiarella (Niece)

Entered January 15, 2020 from St. Louis, Missouri

God bless and may you be in restful peace Aunt Severina with all our loved ones. Sending our love and prayers to all.

Richard Dupp and Mary Reid (Friends for Life)

Entered January 15, 2020 from Port Dover

So sorry to hear of the loss of your cherished Severina. Our deepest condolences to the Araujo family.

From Fred Rudy, Son of Willie Rudy, the Farmer our Father Adelino worked for upon arrival in Canada circa 1954. “I can't tell you how much your Father loved that woman (Severina). There wasn't a night that he didn't sit crying while writing her a letter. I don't think that he ever missed a single night. I will always remember that on days that the postman couldn't make his way to our farm because of the weather and blocked roads your Father would dress up and walk the 1 1/2 miles to the village post office to mail those precious letters to her.

So, see the lava rocks in the distance? When we got to the “Pria” in Agua de Alt in Sao Miguel, Açores in 1975 my Mother swam to those rocks and spent some personal time slipping lapas off the rocks, and reliving her childhood. It was amazing.

Our Mother was a great Mom and incredibly brave woman. After marrying my Father and giving birth to her first son, he was only 2 months old when she watched him leave to immigrate to Canada. She had the support of her family and the community of Agua de Alto. It would be two years before she would see my Father again when he sent for her in 1957.
Imagine introducing your son to a Father he only knew through letters and very few pictures. It wasn’t easy on anyone but they made it work. Another son was born in 1958 in Kitimat BC where my Father worked at Alcan Aluminum, and they lived in factory housing. There’s a picture in the gallery of her and eldest son Adelino sitting on a makeshift porch of the house (looks like a portable)
Then across the Country to another job in Streetsville, Ontario. They lived in an apartment over a Sunoco Gas Station (Gord’s Garage) at Queen and Main. But soon bought a home on Thomas Street. (It’s still there crowded between giant houses). The came a third son. Me.
Our Mother wanted more kids, but was not to be. Mental illness was lurking in her mind. It would be her greatest challenge and for our entire extended family. Diagnosis was slow but eventually treatment culminated In electroshock therapy. My Father took over...everything possible as Mom relearned almost every talent learned over a life of 35 years. But she worked so hard. Cooking, sewing, singing, crocheting and her Faith that never wavered. Worked In factories, took English class, got her drivers license, became a Canadian Citizen, became a hockey mom raised 3 boys, all the while, fighting to keep one step ahead of the mental demons that waited for any moment of weakness.
Eventually she was free of that illness and lived much of her retirement in peace travelling and enjoying her Grandchildren and life in her home and community.
As an immigrant woman, she is my hero. Such bravery, created through the love of a man, their children and their grandchildren. She loved every moment and feared nothing, respected everyone and shared a life well lived with everyone she met. In the end our Mom, Severina, had faith that those she loved await her in eternity. Deus Abençoe.