Woman dies during her mother's 100th b'day celebrations

A woman who came from Canada to celebrate her mother's birth centenary passed away during the celebration on Monday.

Gloria Lobo (75) was all excited to celebrate her mother's birthday.

She, along with her daughter Liza and siblings Trevor D'Souza, Christopher D'Souza and Norma, organised a grand celebration for her mother Gladys D'Souza nee Currie.

Gloria was present for the cake cutting and delivered an emotional speech and a poem in honour of her mother.

Amid the celebration, Gloria collapsed. Though she was rushed to the hospital, she breathed her last.

In fact, Gladys D'Souza, who is a cancer survivor, completed 100 years on Good Friday (March 30). She has been living in Mangaluru since 2008 in a senior citizens home near Rosario Cathedral, Bolar.

Hailing from a prominent Konkani Catholic family of Mangaluru City, Gladys D'Souza's ascendants were well-known ancient residents of 'Candle garden' located between the present Jyothi Cinema and Woodlands Hotel, at the foothills of St Aloysius College.

Gladys mentioned her husband, Joachim Lawrence D'Souza (1905-54), a Chief Marine Engineer, whom she married on December 29, 1942.  The couple were blessed with five children - Gloria, Pam, Norma, Trevor and Christopher.

She loves receiving phone calls from her children and grandchildren who are all abroad.

While leaving the cancer hospital, when doctors told her that she will live to see her 101st birthday, she frowned and said "no it will be 110." Her determination and courage keeps her going.