Norma had a compassionate heart

Norma Ann Theresa Pillai died on November 28, 2025, at the age of 93. Her Funeral Mass was held at the Our Lady of Fatima RC Church, Curepe on December 6. Her daughter Debbie delivered the eulogy on behalf of her siblings, Sterling and Michelle.

We would like to recall memories from the hearts of many who shared their love for our mom, Norma Ann Theresa, who loved and served God through serving others and whose heart lives on in those she served.

My mom was converted to Catholicism at a young age by Sr St Charles, a Carmelite nun who worked for many years at the L’Hospice. She in turn brought her own brothers and sisters to the faith.

Her friendship with the abbey at the Mount began even before there was an Abbot with the old Prior. The Carmelite and Benedictine spirituality filled my mother’s being; the Eucharist was the centre of her life.

Each person here has a memory of mummy. She was such a patient person. She did her very best to be non-judgemental, kind, and helpful with her open, compassionate heart for all those that came along her pathway.

People have shared: “she helped to get my children christened”, “She got a priest for us when we needed one”. Many saw her as their mom—she opened her heart and home to those who needed a shelter for a while.

Her youthful presence made her able to fit in and understand many situations. She had the right words and always understood the situation.

Her life was not easy for those who really knew her. It was like a kettle on a stove top, she could have had water up to her neck, fire on her bottom and still radiated a smile that had a way of putting you totally at ease.

Meanwhile, you never guessed that she herself was dealing with many challenges. This is the faith that propelled her to work in the church as she was a reader at Mass, and read the announcements at the end of the Saturday evening Mass, at which she became a fixture until she could not walk properly. Then, she would sit at the back. She organised the bingo, and the Fatima harvest fairs.

She would speak to you in a gentle way, asking for what she needed for the church and persuaded you to give. She was always happy and doing her best to cheer and support others on along their way.

Most of all she taught us how to have unconditional love and to be forgiving, to be non-judgemental—those things come from the heart and it’s the real basis for being a good person in life.

She taught these things verbally and by example. She was truly a remarkable woman, her strong faith, loving nature, and incredible sense of humour touched everyone who knew her. In this year of the Jubilee, Mummy was, is and always will be our joyful hope!

Acknowledgment: A special thank you to all the priests who encountered the love of Jesus through Norma Pillai and to her family community of Our Lady of Fatima Parish for giving her many opportunities to serve.

The family of Norma Pillai thanks all those who supported us with their prayer, loving kindness, and compassion during the period of our bereavement.

We thank Bishop Clyde Harvey, Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire, the Benedictine Nuns of St Lucia and the Carmelites of T&T for their messages of condolence. We are most grateful to Bishop Gerard County CSSp, Abbot John Pereira OSB, Msgr Michael Stewart, Fr Issac Umoru CSSp and Deacon Murchison Sylvester for celebrating the Funeral Mass with us.