As a devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, Maria Sousa’s (or Gloria Sousa as her friends would come to know her as) love of life didn’t come to an end with her death. Gloria passed away peacefully on May 24th, 2022 at the age of 86, surrounded by her family who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest.
Born in the Azores, Portugal in 1935, Gloria immigrated to Thunder Bay, Canada with her husband Duarte Sousa in 1969. Gloria devoted her life as a caretaker to the simplest pleasures by making sure that all around her were always in the highest spirits. As an avid cook and one who devoted her life to the warmth and comfort of food, Gloria loved to cook for everyone who would find comfort at her table. She devoted her life to her Grandchildren, all of which had that special place around her. As they would all come to call her, Vavo or Nana, each would cherish the time spent at her side as one of her flock. They each take with them their own fond and special memories of their precious time with one of God’s greatest gifts to our family.
Gloria is survived by her husband Duarte Sousa, her Children Filomena Cusick (Shawn Cusick), Elia Gaspar, Eddie Sousa, Steven Sousa (Lydia Sousa), Mike Sousa (Erminia Sousa), her 12 Grandchildren and great Grandchild.
The family would also like to acknowledge and provide their tremendous gratitude to health care staff on the 3B Ward of the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital for the exceptional care and empathy demonstrated.
Funeral Services for Gloria will be held on Monday, May 30, 2022 leaving the Harbourview Funeral Centre at 9:30 a.m. to St. Andrew’s Church, 292 Red River Road, where the Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Antoni Fujarczuk at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Andrew’s Cemetery.
Visitation for family and friends will be held in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre on Sunday, May 29, 2022 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. with vigil prayers at 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Alzheimer Society.
