Sr M Lizzie

                                     Sr M Lizzie BS of Infant Jesus

 Born                                          : 07.06.1952

Entered Bethany                     : 02.07.1978

Temporary Profession            : 05.05.1981

Perpetual Profession              : 01.05.1987

Slept in the Lord                     : 11.03.2026

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” (Psalms 116:15)

With love and gratitude, we bid a tearful farewell to our dear Sr M Lizzie BS who peacefully entered her eternal abode on 11^th March 2026 at 7:00 am at St Raymond Convent, Vamanjoor. Her life of deep faith, humble service, and loving dedication stands as a true witness to her faithfulness to God till the end of her life.

Sr M Lizzie BS (née Lizzie Josephine Furtado) was born to the late Valerian Furtado and the late Mrs Juliana Pereira of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva, Kaup, in the Diocese of Udupi. She was the fifth among ten children, having six brothers and three sisters and two among them Sr Celine SCCG and Sr Ivy Furtado the Nirmala Sisters have responded to God’s call through religious life. Sr Lizzie received her early education at Don Bosco Hr Pry School and St Mary’s High School, Shirva. After qualifying professionally as a teacher, she generously responded to God’s call and joined the Bethany Congregation on 2^nd July 1978 and made her Temporary Profession on 5^th May 1981 and Perpetual Profession on 1^st May 1987.

Sr Lizzie was known for her loving and compassionate nature. Blessed with an innocent and pure heart, her warm presence brought comfort and joy to all who encountered her. Deeply prayerful, she translated her spirituality into daily life through her commitment, sincerity, and promptness in communication. As a Superior she worked tirelessly to foster unity in the community, promoting harmony, cooperation, and mutual understanding. Her leadership was marked by care, empathy, and a genuine concern for the well-being of every member entrusted to her care. She possessed an accommodating and inclusive personality, making everyone feel valued and welcome. As a voracious reader, she was eager to learn and grow; her love for reading enriched her knowledge and broadened her perspective. Cleanliness, discipline and simplicity were hallmarks of her life. She had a deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and lived a life rooted in prayer and steadfast faith. She was also known for her faithfulness and punctuality in all spiritual exercises.

With a heart full of care and a spirit of service, she excelled as a loving Headmistress and a dedicated teacher offering commendable service to our communities and institutions; St Joseph’s Convent, Basrur; Providence Convent, Balkunje; Bethany Convent, Permannur; Santa Cruz Convent, Kulshekar; Mary Queen Convent, Karkal; Holy Family Convent, Nirkan; Visitation Convent, Kadaba; and Madeleine Convent, Mulki. She served the Province faithfully as the Province Procurator, carrying out her responsibilities with great trustworthiness and dedication. In her later years, she was actively engaged in the Prayer Ministry at Nazareth Convent, Bajpe; Mother of Mercy Convent, Kirem and most recently at St Raymond Convent, Vamanjoor.

She was diagnosed for breast cancer in 2018 and courageously underwent treatment at Father Muller Medical College Hospital, Mangalore. With humble submission to God, she embraced her suffering with deep faith in the Lord and a spirit of prayer that inspired everyone around her. Even in the midst of her illness, she remained a source of consolation and comfort to those enduring physical and emotional pain. As time passed, she also battled diabetes and hypertension, yet her devotion never faltered. She continued to immerse herself in prayer ministry carrying with her the light of faith and compassion.

On August 5th, 2024, she was brought to St Raymond Convent, Vamanjoor, where she received intensive care from Sr Jyothi Wilma and the dedicated care taker. Throughout her illness, she was surrounded by the love and support of her sisters, family, friends, parishioners who visited her often and cared for her tenderly. Since October 2025, Sr Lizzie had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia and was battling diabetes and hypertension. Despite the acute pain in her final days, she remained serene and spiritually prepared to meet her Lord.

Towards the end of her life, she endured acute breathing difficulties, and her health steadily declined. On March 2^nd she was strengthened by the grace of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick by Fr Jeevan Shailesh, Asst Parish Priest of St Joseph the Worker Church, Vamanjoor which became a sacred moment that prepared her soul with peace and consolation for her journey to eternity. On March 11^th 2026 at 7.00 am she peacefully responded to the call of the Lord surrounded by Sr Jyothi Wilma and the members of St Raymond community in prayer. Sr Dr Jeevitha confirmed her passing away and immediately Sr Lilly Pereira, Provincial Superior of Mangalore Province, who was attending Bible Convention in Mulki, hastened to the convent. With deep reverence, she offered prayers and commended her soul to Jesus. Her life was a witness of faith, resilience, and selfless service. Even in suffering, she radiated strength and love, leaving behind a legacy of prayer and compassion that will continue to inspire all who knew her.