We Remember Sister Maria do Céu

Sister Maria do Céu de Melo Mendes, SJC
April 7, 1944 - July 19, 2016

We Remember Sister Maria do Céu

Sister Maria do Céu de Melo, Sister of St. Joseph of Cluny, died peacefully at home on July 19, 2016.

Born in Sobreposta, Braga, Portugal, April 7, 1944, Sister Maria do Céu entered religious life in Nogueiro, Braga and made her first vows on September 8, 1967.

After profession, Sister Maria do Céu was missioned to Mozambique for 14 years and then 8 years in Portugal before being sent to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1990.
In Hamilton, Sr. Maria do Céu taught Heritage Language classes, coordinated the Portuguese Information Center and taught religion classes at St. Mary's Parish. In 2001 she began serving as secretary of the parish. She became Administrative Secretary in 2011. Well loved by the Portuguese community, she was a skilled teacher, pastoral worker, advocate for the poor, and minister of evangelization. She was known everywhere for her wonderful gift of hospitality.

Predeceased by her parents Augusto Mendes and Maria Adilia de Melo, Sister Maria do Céu is survived by her seven siblings Fernando Mendes (Conceicao), Maria Adelina Mendes, Alcina Mendes, Jose Augusto Mendes (Ilma), Jose Justino Mendes (Emilia), Jose Manuel Mendes, Maria da Conceicao Mendes (Antonio Peixoto) and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, great-grandnieces and nephews. Her family, friends, and the many Cluny Sisters worldwide who have known her will miss her sorely.