Patty D’Sa….. Gone, but Never Forgotten
Francis H D’Sa pays tribute to his sister who passed away on 1st April 2011.
Towards the end of her suffering, thru the small window she kept open in her fast disintegrating mind, among the very very few things she remembered, one line she always said quite distinctly, when persuaded…’ My name is Patty and I’m a teacher in St Andrew’s High School..’ (note the tense).
Patty teacher, Patty bai , Teacher Patty, Patsy dear, Miss Patty, Petroscena Jasmine D’Sa ( a rose by any name is as sweet) taught at St Andrew’s High School for 42 years, leading from the front. During her tenure she taught about 3000 students. The impact she made on teachers, students and principals was much more. Even today, when her students have become Additional Commissioner/s of Police like Rakesh Maria, or renowned heart surgeons, or IAS Officers, or simply those leading a good clean life, her name is spoken about with gratitude and affection.
Reminises Fr Nereus Rodrigues, whom she worked under when he was Principal for 11 years ,” More than teaching her students with care, love and attention, Patty forged a bond between the parents of her students and her and the school ( when PTA was unheard of) administration. So much so, that her students used to tell their parents that they (parents) were wrong and their teacher was always right in matters related to education and social activities. I clearly remember her involvement in the school dramas like ‘The Mikado’, ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ and ‘Pinafore’ where the costumes were concerned and her dedication to the practices long into the night.”
She taught Catechism at Sunday School at St Andrew’s Church, was thoroughly involved in the Andrean Fairs and was at the helm of all other extra curricular activities of the School. Later, she was also elevated to the position of Vice Principal (primary) which was really her swansong.
She was awarded the ‘Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice”, the Pope’s medal in appreciation for her teaching at St Andrew’s High School which she accepted in all humility.
The last 15 years of her life were really her most heroic… as she battled diabetes, dementia, advancing old age… with a smile. My wife Joan, the only one she called out to and my maid. tended to all her illnesses with’ Mother Teresa’ –like dedication, day after day after day, long into the night keeping her spiffy clean. Patty never complained, not once, about the pain, the discomfort, the uncertainties of her life. Tubes went into her, suction machines whirred down her throat, test after test conducted as routine , as we all lived in hope. HOPE, is that ETERNAL LIGHT that flashes across the blue sky… Patty never wanted to be admitted to any hospital, she loved her HOME and her view from the half opened window…
Whenever I asked her who I was, she would say, with pride, “ my brother.” Soon, her voice turned into a hoarse whisper as when I used to say, “I love you Patsy dear,” she used to reply , “ Thank you, thank you, thank you”..
Dearest sibling of mine, you taught me, thru your illness, the fine art of acceptance, patience,hope, and to see the LIGHT beyond the DARKNESS.
Early one morning, before the cool air settled and all else was still and the sky was blue with promise, my sister moved from her EARTHLY AVATAR to her HEAVENLY ONE. Her face was as serene as that of a child sleeping, not wishing to disturb us, she gently stepped on to that Great Blue Yonder and joined my ancestors…… in time for breakfast. -------- Francis H D’Sa.
