Ana Emilia Deveaux Mancebo

SERVICE FOR Ana Emilia Deveaux Mancebo - White Lady – Dandenong Chapel 6pm – Monday 18th February 2019 Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome. On behalf of White Lady Funeral Services, I would like to extend our sympathy to Ana’s family and friends gathered here today. My name is Carol Campbell and I am a civil celebrant, it is my privilege to be here to assist you in celebrating and honouring the life of Ana Emilia Devo Manceebo a woman described as passionate, strong and determined. Following our service today the family warmly welcome you to join them in here on site for refreshments and to share some of your stories or time spent with Ana. Before we commence our service, the family will come forward and light 6 tribute candles as I share these words … The first candle represents our grief. The pain of losing you is intense. It reminds us of the depth of our love for you. This second candle represents our courage. To confront our sorrow, to comfort each other, to change our lives. The third candle we light in your memory. For the times we laughed, the times we cried, the times we were angry with each other The silly things you did, the caring and joy you gave us. This fourth candle we light for our love. We light this candle that your light will always shine. We cherish the special place in our hearts that will always be reserved for you. This fifth candle we light for our soul We thank you for the gift your living brought to each of us. We love you and we will remember you always As we light our last candle We ask that your spirit light shine brightly. Leading us forward. Inspiring us to be all that we can be, And may your life-force live in our hearts Reminding us that the eternal flame of love Unites us forever. We are here today with our hearts full of compassion for Ana’s family and friends, who have had to bear this loss of such an incredible woman. And although Ana would not have wanted us to mark her passing with grief and sadness, but we cannot help but feel that sadness and loss of someone who played such an important part in our lives. As with all things living, there comes a part of the life cycle when it is time to go, and this was her time. She is now at peace, and she would hope that her family, her friends and all of those who cared for her on a regular basis over these last years of her life, can also find peace, knowing they always gave their best when it was required. There are no perfect words or acts that can take away the grief your feel, we can only look to support one another, hold each other and speak from the heart, the conversations and stories you have shared with Ana will remain with you for all time and her love will always be there. It is clear from your attendance here today that Ana was well respected and loved and we will do our best to honor her. EULOGY: Born 19th of October 1941 in the Dominican Republic and was one of four siblings. Ana was achild who suffered illness for much of her childhood, she wasn’t expected to live, and yet Ana held an inner strength and determination that was to be at the core of her soul for all of her life. Becoming a revolutionary in 1960 to fight against the dictatorship, Ana’s strong beliefs and values wouldn’t allow her to sit idle and watch her country collapse – she fought hard for these beliefs so much so that she was exiled to Paris, here she continued to be involved with the revolutionaries but also continued her studies and earning her Bachelor of Arts. Ana returned back to the Dominican Republic to set up a home for herself and her daughter Karem, at the time is was difficult for her being a single mother, yet this strength and resilience raised its head again and she established a Musical and Arts Academy for children. She dedicated her life to working and helping the children embrace the joys of music and theatre, all the while she raised her daughter on her own. Courageous is a word that comes to mind when I think of the journey and risks Ana took to support her daughter, she never gave up, never asked for handouts, she just stood tall and proud and strong. After Karem had settled into Australia, Ana would visit a few times before finally making a permanent move. She spent time with her brother in Mexico while she was waiting for permanent residency t come through, she was due in fact to visit her family again this week for an extended holiday, but sadly this was not to be. Once she arrived Ana continued her passion for the arts and joined The University of the Third Age, here she was able to continue utilizing her skills in painting, floral arranging and sculpturing and of course it was a nice way to make new friends and have a social outlet. But these weren’t the only talents that Ana had, she made Karem’s wedding dress, she was a talented seamstress, an avid writer of short stories , a creator of metal artwork and embroidery she could throw her hand at anything ! and then there were the Pastelitos of which she was a master. For her grandchildren, Nadia, Mijail, Maxim and Ilich she would do anything , she wrote them each a song when they were newly born and nothing was too much trouble where her grandchildren were concerned, she was a voice of reason, Nadia says you could talk to her about anything there was never any judgment . Ana was very independent and was quite happy getting the bus or train wherever she needed to go, even with her limited English she managed to get her message across and engage with people, she was never one to sit home and be idle, she would create puzzles out of old photos just to keep her mind busy, she was quietly obsessed with Star Trek and anything that spoke of Aliens or another world, Ana believed there was more to life than just here on earth, she was fascinated by the YouTube videos on extra terrestrials and the universe. Ana also embraced technology, she was forever on Facebook SKYPE or What’s App chatting to family and friends, a free spirit, a little stubborn, but a woman who knew what she wanted in life and went for it. Ana had started to pack her bags for her big trip, she liked to be organized so her sudden death was unexpected and a shock to all. This is a woman who fought for her life, fought for her country, fought for her family – and what a wonderful legacy to remember her by. Ana passed away on the 7th of February aged 77 in the safe haven of the family home. Tributes: I would now like to invite Ana’s son in law – Theo to present his tribute Maxim will now share a few words.. CAROL: Ana was a loving daughter, mother, mother in law, grandmother, sister, and friend. We thank you for all that she taught us, she will be sadly missed by all those who had the pleasure of meeting her –- she touched many lives and has left a legacy of a woman who endured many challenges with strength and dignity, her family stand tall and strong today because of her and they know that she will always be by their side surrounding them with her love every day. FAREWELL We will miss Ana’s passionate, determined ways . We are deeply grateful that she has been a part of our lives and may she travel safely into this next part of her journey. We will always wish she had stayed longer with us as there is never a right time or a good time for someone to leave our side. Take comfort in that Ana will always be with you, that little voice whispering in your ear when you need advice the most, or that gentle touch that you can’t explain guiding you in the right direction. Our memories are held in our heart and no one can ever take those away. I would like to close our service today with a reading from ‘San Augustine” which Karem found in her mother’s room, tucked gently away. “ Don’t cry for me, I came to earth with a mission and it is already accomplished – welcome this change with happiness that God allowed, I will do as much as I can for you from heaven” ….. Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes our service for Ana, and I will ask that if you can do so comfortably, please stand. Once again, all those who have shown kindness, love and support prior to, and following these days of bereavement, have the sincere gratitude of the family. I ask that you please continue to support them, and indeed each other. Thank you.