A TRIBUTE TO A SCHOOLMATE, CLASSMATE AND FRIEND - ROCHELLE LAURENSA BRITTO MENEZES

 

 

ROCHELLE, they say there is a reason
They say that time will heal
But neither time nor reason
Will change the way we feel
For no-one knows the sadness
That lies behind our smiles
No-one knows how many times
We have broken down and cried
We want to tell you something
So there won't be any doubt
You're so wonderful to think of
and so hard to be without...

 

 

 

Rochelle Menezes -  class of 1994 passed away yesterday after a brief illness. Funeral will be held on the 21st of October 2014. Funeral cortège will leave from her residence at Tivim at 16:45 hrs and the Mass and burial will be at St. Christopher's church, Tivim at 17:00 hrs.

 

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.
I’m following the path God has laid you see.
I took his hand when I heard Him call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day.
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
I found that peace at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
then fill it with remembered joys.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.
Oh yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much.
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and peace to thee.
God wanted me now;
He set me free!

We wish Rochelle's husband and family our deepest condolences. I just realised that she just passed her birthday on the 13th of October when she was in the hospital. Memories and pictures of Rochelle from school sent in by her friends and schoolmates. Thank you all for responding immediately.

 

Pictures sent in by Leticia Rodrigues Coutinho: Bottom pic from left to right - Leticia, Bernadin, Marina, Rochelle, Elisha, Sarama. Sitting - Krystabelle and Patricia.

 

In the words of...

 

Leticia:

Rochelle was studying with me since 8 to 10th grade.. unlike me she was not mischievous at all. I can hardly ever recall anything that she ever did was wrong.

 

Alcy:

She was very polite

Annie Do Rosario:

She was very polite and soft spoken... very calm

 

 

 

Please continue to send in your messages and memories.

 

 

Memories from our first Reunion - December 2014

Here are some pictures from the reunion. The rest of the snaps are available on my FB profile. I guess there are some more from other camera's I am yet to locate.

Link to the remaining pictures: SFX Reunion - December 2013





Clicked outside the old study room. I do not remember the names of the nuns.
US: Melanie, Margaret, Aramita, Lisa, Sharmila & Rocklyn.





Clicked outside the old study room. This one includes me minus Rocklyn.
US: Melanie, Margaret, Aramita, Lisa, Sharmila & Jacqueline





The one in the blue is Sr. Lourdes. She remembered all of us. This was in the dormitory.
US: Margaret and Rocklyn.



The new parlour. We made time to eat the Christmas sweets.
US: Margaret, Aramita..



Sharon was the lucky one who did not have the Mojito at Calamari.



Melanie, Me and Rocklyn with Dafny's mom. She always sent us stuff to eat.



That is Rima with Nelly. Nelly came by to see all of us. Unfortunately she could not join us for lunch. 

Nelly, Lisa & Melanie enjoying the snacks. Rocklyn and a few others asked for a private tour of the chapel where some mysteries were finally revealed.

Rocklyn and Sharmila at Calamari

Melanie

Melanie and Me

Rima

Lisa

Melanie, Sharon and Glenda

Aramita. Mixing drinks.

Sharon

The final capture.

OUR FIRST REUNION - December 2013

After what seemed like an eternity, with many failed attempts, we finally made it happen. A few of the SFX girls reunited in a reunion of sorts. The planning took some time but after a lot of coordination and follow up, we made one of our long awaited dreams a reality.

After some discussion, we came up with the date. It was going to be the 22nd of December 2013. That was the date everyone kept free for most part of the day, in spite of other committments.

We all met on the 22nd morning at Babaji's (yeah it is still there) in Mapusa. I remember reaching and the first sight that jumped at us was of a few girls standing outside and talking. We could not recognise anyone and they seemed to be a bit out of place standing at the entrance. I travelled with my classmates Rima and Rocklyn. Rima was kind enough to pick us up. After we got off, our driver moved off to park and we started our very anxious walk over to Babaji's, we realised that those ladies who were standing there were no more there. A peek into Babaji's confirmed that those ladies were indeed our schoolmates and they were huddled up at a table because we were late to arrive. It was a little difficult at first recognising the faces but there was a moment we all were all hugs and screams trying not to make a scene but failing all the way.

With the rest of the group on the way and some not joining us for our visit to the boarding, which was our first stop. We wanted to see a lot but were pressed for time so we decided to make this a very short and quick visit. We met a few of the nuns and it was a moment to remember... us being back to the place we started from. Truly a moment to savour and the reminicsing i am sure made each one of us nostalgic. And being together made it even more special. I had been there a year ago with my classmate and friend Rima and even though it was so special, this was completely different. We clicked a few pics and our next plan was to meet Santan. Santan, for those who do not know, looked after and took care of us in the dormitory. We were all so moved by her situation during our previous conversations that we thought we would get something for her. Some of did exactly that. We showered her with our gifts and she got so emotional that I could sense all of us on the verge of tears.

One other thing that I still recall from our visit to the boarding was we got to see at least one nun from our past. Sr Lourdes surprisingly remembered all of us. I went back to my 'back seat' approach when everyone was introducing themselves, I stood behind hoping I would not be noticed. With the introductions done, I breathed a sigh of relief hoping she would not see me. She did... She wanted to know my name. What shocked me was the moment I told her my name, she related a past incident and I knew she remembered. Truly amazing! Nelly one of our classmates and a day scholar also came to boarding to meet us as she found out that we were going to be meeting. It was so nice to meet her. After this our nuns offered us some Christmas sweets and urged to stay longer. They took down our details before we left as I am sure they get a lot of ex student visits.

My personal agenda diverted my attention for a while because I had to meet a very special lady. One of the strongest people I know. The mother of my friend and classmate Dafny. Melanie, Rocklyn and I made our way to the little shop she ran just outside the boarding. Entering the place I still held my back bench position, but she remembered my face. It was great to meet her. Over our hungry years in the boarding, she sent me roast beef sandwiches so often. That is so unforgettable. Dafny knew that I liked it and she always got these for me. But I love aunty with all my heart for this. Tough as she still is, she made me wait back and with her arms on my shoulder gave me some necessary life advise. A moment I will cherish.

Our next stop was Candolim. We made lunch reservations at 'Calamari'. That is where Sharon and Glenda joined us. We were so loud that people kept turning to give us 'the look'. The Mojito was a complete disaster. The mint leaves were dumped in the glass which looked like chopped green salad in a glass of white rum.... and there was no taste of rum. We decided to order a bottle of Bacardi and after a couple of drinks each we realized we could not finish the bottle. Last I heard the bottle was still lying untouched.

We made time for one final pic together and said our goodbyes and departed. I guess we all knew that the goodbye was not one that was final. It was temporary... till me meet again. I can say that even though we had our childhood grudges and dislikes, all that had just vanished and we were a group of people bound by our memories and our common likes and dislikes. What was amazing is how we all turned out now. What I saw was a group of beautiful ladies, highly accomplished with awesome families, a few who I had the pleasure to meet. Deep down we knew we had a need to keep our past a part of our present and future as well.

I hope to add some pics soon from that memorable day soon.