| Zarina Marie Josephina Philomena
Fonseca, Zarina to family and friends with the exception
of family and childhood friends some people here today
will only have known Zarina since she came to London
in the 70's. For those of you who are not familiar with
the family unit, Zaina was the only girl, she had four
brothers including me, her twin. She loved music and
dancing, this was sometimes a source of annoyance to
us as one of us had to escort her to dances even when
we didn’t want to go, being the only girl more
often than not she got her way.
Zarina was a warm, loving and loyal sister and friend.
Her childhood friends and those who went through their
teens and young adult lives with her will remember
her as bright, intelligent, fun loving, and adventurous.
a friend , now living in Canada, who sent an email
this week, described her as "a bit of a fire-ball.
She was the member of the family who kept in touch
with relatives around the world. a testament to this
is the many cards, telephone calls and e-mails we
have received.
When our mum was invalided with rheumatoid arthritis
Zarina took over the running of the house, as a young
girl she had learned basic cooking from mum. With
the responsibility of preparing meals daily came her
love of cooking, she created many culinary delights
over the years.
She was also gifted as a seamstress. For many years
she made her own clothes, was fashion conscious and
took pride in being well turned out. She was creative
and skilful at needlepoint and cross-stitch. She created
many beautiful items amongst them, tablecloths, napkins
and wall hangings, creating her own transfer designs
and painstakingly filling them in, many of which we
still have.
Zarina had many problems and was beset with illness.
She struggled with her dependence on alcohol and tried
to overcome it many times. The photograph shows her
in happier, healthier times.
She took ill and was hospitalized in November last
year during which time her main concern was for our
brother Vivian who was also critically ill in hospital.
Vivian died on December 10th and it was a constant
source of sadness to Zarina that she did not get to
see him and say goodbye.
Following the amputation of her left leg she was
diagnosed with cancer. In the months that ensued she
fought to regain her independence and succeeded in
so far as within two weeks of physiotherapy she was
walking with the aid of sticks, taking buses and taking
control of her affairs.
She rarely gave voice to pain. Although she was aware
that her future might be cut chort by her illness.
Zarina looked forward in the future, she was hoping
to go to Rome and India, sadly it wasn't to be.
Throughout difficult times her Faith went from strength
to strength.
I would like to say thank you to the following:
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