Obituary – Maxine Maria Fernandes

With great sadness and a heavy heart, we inform you of the passing of our beloved Maxine Fernandes.

Maxine Maria Fernandes, age 77, of Richmond, British Columbia passed away on August 21, 2021. Born June 27, 1944, in Mumbai, India, to her parents the late Francis and Lena Vaz. She is survived by the love of her life, her husband of 53 years, Peter Paul Fernandes. Maxine and Peter lived a true story of love through their numerous adventures and experiences.

Maxine attended Sophia College for Women in Mumbai. She was always leading some ‘cause’ and at times driving the Sisters mildly crazy! But they all loved her and they knew that Maxine was a good person and chose her to meet Pope Paul VI, when he visited Bombay, India for the Eucharistic Congress in 1964.

She immigrated to Canada in 1969 with Peter, where they continued their journey of growth and love. They built a life in Edmonton, Alberta, raised their family, and pursued their passions for travel, music, and time with nature. Their home was filled with laughter and music, good food, and many friends and family who joined them in celebrating the simple joys of life.

Maxine’s friends remember her for her ‘joie de vivre’ and for the spirit of love and caring in which she spoke to every person. She was memorable for her beautiful singing voice, her elegance, and her desire to help every person live their very best life. When it came to causes she cared about, she never took no for an answer. She was passionate supporter of education and rights of girls and the disenfranchised.

Maxine was an active member of the community in Edmonton where she lived and worked for 32 years until moving to the sunshine in Richmond, British Columbia in 2001. She had a passion for supporting church and cultural causes and led by example and action. She was a Music Minister, choir member, and President of Edmonton Goan Association. During that time, she started the annual GoaFest, an intercultural Event, involving many cultural groups. She started singing the Goan Blessing…”   Bsssaaum tumcher poddorem …. Viva re viva …” which is still sung during community and family events in Edmonton. She was a leader in the credit union sector and in IT, breaking new ground and opening paths for the Female leaders of today. She was an advocate and enthusiastic ally and led with love in accordance with the teachings of her Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Maxine is survived by her husband of 53 years, Peter Paul Fernandes, her son John and daughter-in-law Jasmeen Fernandes of Tsawwassen, British Columbia, and daughter Amritha Vaz and son-in-law Dan Dietz of Los Angeles, California; three loving grandchildren, Jacob Peter, Iris Amara, and Jessie Magdalene; 5 siblings, Justine (late Melvyn) Menezes, Geraldine (late Cyril) D’Souza, Julian (Freda) Vaz, Franco (Ramona) Vaz, and Patricia (Dexter) Lopez; and many loving nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at 8:00 pm, Thursday, August 26, 2021, at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Richmond, BC. The Funeral Mass will take place the following day, Friday, August 27, 2021, at the same St. Paul’s Church, with Fr. Thomas Smith celebrating. Both services will be streamed at https://www.legacystreaming.com/private-page/maxine-fernandes/

In lieu of flowers, the family would invite you to support the Salvation Army Rotary House Hospice, of Richmond, British Columbia. Online memorials to Maxine can be made at https://everloved.com/life-of/maxine-fernandes/