Thelma Sylvia Aranha (Abreu) Obituary (2016)

Thelma Sylvia Aranha (nee Abreu), 91, passed away peacefully at her home in Rockaway, New Jersey on Monday, June 6, 2016, with her loving family by her side. On Saturday June 11 at 9 am, a viewing will be held at St. Cecilia's Church in Rockaway followed by a funeral mass at 9:30. Born in Kolar Gold Fields, Karnataka, India, Thelma boldly ignored the conventions for women of her generation, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Astronomy as well as a Bachelor of Teaching degree; she became a brilliant and widely revered teacher of mathematics over the several decades in Bangalore, India where she made her home with her beloved (late) husband Arthur. A dedicated servant of the people, she volunteered much of her life working for the poor, the sick, and the elderly. She considered this her proudest accomplishment and continued her charitable work, nearly to the end of her life, as a parishioner of St. Cecilia Church and School and a volunteer at Morrisview Nursing Home. She was a dear sister to Dolores Arulappan (Bangalore, India), Bertha Aranha (Melbourne, Australia), late Sister Bernard "Gwenny" of the Apostolic Carmel order, and late Joseph Abreu; a devoted mother to Joseph Aranha and wife Karen, Mario Aranha, & Christine Farias and husband Gerard; a cherished and proud grandmother to Dhyan Aranha, Divya Farias, Priyanka Aranha, Tara Aranha, Jeevan Farias, & Kiran Aranha. Her quick sense of humor and deep love of music and dancing brought laughter and cheer to any company she kept while her unwavering faith in God was an inspiration to all. Her memory lives on in song. In lieu of flowers and in celebration of Thelma's selfless commitment to serve others donations can be made to Catholic Relief Services at http://crs.donordrive.com/campaign/tsa