Obituary of Mathilda Costa Correa

It is with deep sadness that we advise you of the death of our mother, Mathilda Costa Correa at
the age of 98. Mathilda passed away peacefully at Lakeridge Health, Ajax-Pickering Hospital on
March 2, 2023, after a brief illness due to a stroke. She was predeceased by her husband Cyril
Costa Correa and is survived by her daughter Iona Spencer (David), son Clifford (Claire), 
grand-daughter Sinead (Craig), and sister Sara, and her neices and nephews.
 

Mathilda was born in Assolna, Goa India on June 12, 1924, the oldest of seven children. Very
artistic with a great eye for design, she designed her own clothes and quickly developed the
skills of a seamstress. In 1946 Mathilda met Cyril, her future husband, in Goa. Later,
they moved to Nairobi, Kenya and were married in early 1947. They have two children, Iona and
Clifford.
 

In the early days, in addition to taking care of her children, Mathilda not only honed her skills as
a seamstress, but she also designed her own clothes as well as those for her friends, the scope
of which spanned from casual wear to wedding dresses. Over the years, she was recognized
for her taste in style and was always dressed fashionably. Mathilda was also an accomplished
singer and participated in concerts at the Railway Goan Institute & the Goan Institute. She was
also sought out to sing on the local Nairobi Radio station back in the 60’s.
 

In 1957 Mathilda switched careers and moved into Banking and remained at Barclays Bank in
Kenya until her retirement 30 years later, a career she very much enjoyed. In 1989 Mathilda and
her husband Cyril moved to Toronto, Canada to be close to their family where she has lived for
the past 34 years.
 

Mathilda built her life on a strong foundation based in belief in her faith which has always been
her guiding light and her compass for any decisions; love for her family which gave her strength
and of course the strong friendship of her great friends, many who have passed on but they
always had a place in her heart.
 

Mathilda was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She will be fondly
remembered and dearly missed by all.

May she Rest in Peace.

Visitation will be held at the DeStefano Funeral Home 1289 Keith Ross Drive in Oshawa on
Wednesday, March 8th from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday,
March 8th at 1:00 pm in the DeStefano Funeral Home Chapel. Eulogies will be shared at 12:45pm. 

Private burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Whitby.

If desired, memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada would be appreciated.

Go those unable to attend the Service in person, PLEASE CLICK HERE at the time of the service to be taken to the livestream.