Monica, Palke/USA

Dear Irene, Lily, Lany, Cynthia, Manoj and Family: Today, as you remember our dear Lucy Akai for her month''s mind, I will be thinking of you. Your mother was an amazing person. It was always so very interesting to hear stories from her of her childhood. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to talk to her at length on her 80th birthday. Since mom was visiting with me, she wanted to wish Lucy Akai and we had a long conversation. I really got to know Lucy Akai during some of her visits to Mangalore. After Akai came to live in Bombay, Lucy Akai and our Akai became quite close and it was a comfort for us to know that they could count on each other. I had hoped to visit with her during my next trip home and write down some of her stories of their struggles when they were growing up. She had an amazing memory. Take care. We are all thinking of you. Love, Monica (Navin, Jonathan and Dominic too).

Juliet Mathias, Ladyhill,Mangalore

Dear Iri Bai,Lilly Bai,Leny, Cynthia and Manoj, Do accept my deepest sympathies at the sudden demise of your beloved mother, my dearest mausi. It was a shocking news to all of us. May the Lord grant her eternal reward and give you strenth to bear the loss of your dear mother.

Sr.Philomena D''Souza fma, Wadala, Bombay

Dear Irene, Lilly, Lenny, Cynthia, Manoj and all your families, although thousands of miles separate us, i am with you at this present moment of your grief. In fact, i felt so distressed to think that i am so far away and will not be able to be present to bid goodbye to dear Lucy Akai. She has been indeed a dear person to all of us in the family... and with her passing away, i feel one important link in our family has been broken.

I still vividly remember all the love she used to shower on me, when as a child, i used to come to your house in Atthur, Kinnigoli. Despite all hardships, everyday she would make sure to do something delicious!!! I recall with nostalgia all the fun and frolic we used to enjoy together in that little house. So much so even now when i travel from Kinnigoli towards Mulki, my eyes invariably turn towards the pathway that used to lead to Atthur. I always admired Lucy akai''s faith and courage in facing life. She was intelligent, had a strong sense of purpose, and knew to take hard decisions in order to bring up the children and give them education.

This is something amazing to see in a woman who had never been to school herself! I always marvelled to listen to all the details of the stories she would narrate - truly a prodigious photographic memory!!! May she now enjoy the Fullness of Rest in the embrace of love! I was happy that last December, when she came to Mangalore i had the chance of interacting with her. She met all the family members and also made a retreat along with my mother in Mulki.

Looking back, it is something like as if she had prepared herself for this encounter with the Lord! Although, right now i am faraway in the US, all the sisters over here have prayed for the repose of her soul. In fact, they have offered a Mass to be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Basilica Rome. So feel me one with you sharing in this moment of greif and loss... Philu fma

Nancy Nagwekar, Borivali

Dear Irenebai & Fly / Lilybai & Fly / Lenny & Fly, Cynthia & Manoj & Fly Please accept my sincere and heartfelt sympathies and condolences. I fail to find words to convey, what I feel. It has been a tragic loss to your family, and I too feel the loss terribly, as if she was my mother. Even though I hardly knew her as a child, I got to know her more in the past 20 years, when she left Kuwait and came to stay in Bombay for good.

She came a few times a year to stay with Flora Akai and me in Vasai. We also did quite a few trips together to Mangalore as well as some to Nasik/Pune to visit Maxim. On such occassions, she always shared with me the tough life she had to go through as a child, who came to Bombay to work at the age of 9.

The hardship and sometimes humiliation she faced as a young bride at her in-laws as well as her family, & the struggle and sacrifices she had to make to stand on her feet and bring up her kids. She had a photographic memory to recount all the smallest of details, and even though she told me the stories many a times, it never failed to fascinate me. But what I always admired in her was her courage and her very high sense of self worth and confidence. She never wanted to be a burden on anyone and she never wanted to trouble anyone remotely.

Also probably because of the rejections and humiliations she faced in her early life, she never wanted to keep a single penny that didnt belong to her. If I didnt accept the money for train fare, she would buy something for the children, or give it to my mother, or donate to beggars. She was very particular and sensitive about that. I always told her, that she will never be ''in debt'' of me, as she has looked after me when I needed help. When I was pregnant for Karan, in the 9th month, I stayed with her for 8-9 days, as Flora Akai was in Vasai and there were many problems to travel by train and my doctor was at Dadar.

She readily invited me and looked after me so well. I went to the hospital from her house. I always remember that, and I am grateful for her for that. I never offered her any money or gifts, but felt comfortable to accept her care, just like I would from my mother. So I was always ready to reciprocate her love, whenever she wanted any help from me. Just the day before she passed away, she called me up and spoke to me for almost 1/2 an hour. Her passing away was so sudden, we never had any time to react or come to terms with it. But all said and done, that is how she wanted to go, without troubling anybody.

I am sure she is at peace and happiness, and she will shower her blessings on everyone whom she loved so dearly, specially her grand children. I am sure, she is with you and will give you the strength to cope with this loss. My prayers and good wishes are with you alwasys.

Richard Mathias, Kinnigoli

Dear Irene, Lilly & Lenny bai, Cynthi and Manoj, we extend our deepest condolences. May the almighty Lord grant her soul eternal peace and give you strength and courage to cope up with the loss of your dear Mother. From Richard, Shanthi, Rachel and Glen Mathias, Bithul, Kinnigoli

Elias D'' Souza & family, Hospet / India/ Sharjah

Dear Irene, Lily, Lenny, Cynthia & Manoj, - on behalf of my family, please accept our heart felt condolences & sympathies on sad dismissal of most beloved mother. Words can hardly express the sorrow we feel for your loss. May the Lord grant her soul eternal peace. Through the power of the Holy Spirit may you’ll find the strength to bear this tragic loss. We will keep you’ll in our prayers. From Cousin Brother Elias D’ Souza, wife Pramila, kids Master Shaun & Baby Shanon – Hospet, Sharjah.

Gabriel Dsouza, Kinnigoli, Ind/Sharjah, UAE

Dear Irene Bai, Lily, Lenny, Cynthia & Manoj, Accept our heart felt condolences & sympathies on sad dismissal of most beloved mother. We were really glad to see her in 2008-2009 31Dec & 2Jan 2009, met her personally & she visited our house & blessed all of us. It was a great refreshment of memories of my teenage life. For me it was a shock when I heard of her sad demise. I will pray for her soul to rest in peace forever in heaven. From, Cousin Brother Gabriel Dsouza & wife Helen Dsouza, elder daughter Gabriella Hazel Dsouza & Glen Hansel Dsouza.

Anita Dsouza, Goregaon(E)

Dear Lenny, Sorry to hear about your mom. Heartfelt sympathies. Anita, BPCL.