I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud


I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.


— WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Lorna’s Eulogy (1937-2018) Given at her funeral April 6, 2018 St. Patrick's Basilica

Thank you to all of you from my father David Albuquerque, my brother Patrick, my sisters Cheryl and Lisa and their partners Kishor and Zbigniew and to my family Dorian and Siobhan. We are grateful that you are here to share in this special service for our mother Lorna Albuquerque, to honor her life and to celebrate together.
As a family we have been spending a lot of time together in these last few weeks as mum’s time on this earth drew to a close. Talking, reminiscing, sharing stories. And knowing all the while that this was exactly what she would want. She would likely say: “okay – it’s okay to cry if you want to or need to --- do – but also rejoice in what you have, think of the people you have in your life, be grateful for every minute”. She might pause and then say, “sometimes I just think about life like this and about just how lucky I am - how fortunate we all are – and to be in Canada!”
Lorna grew up in Ireland - #6 of 7 kids – it was still during the time of unrest in Ireland and a challenging time to find work. Kids were encouraged to get trades and jobs and that often took them away from home at a young age. It was tough at times although she chose to remember the good. Lorna always wanted to be a nurse and ended up in Manchester for her training – the very place where she was to meet and then marry her husband David – the young surgeon. They fell in love and a bond was woven held strongly by their faith despite the times and their upbringings. Coming to Canada was not a direct affair but a rather circuitous route taking them to various stops in the UK, India and back again before settling in Canada.
Without extended family – our parents had to depend on each other and build a life for their family. And they did just that – they worked together and gave us children all the experiences – ice skating, curling, corn roasts and horseback riding, swimming, badminton, tennis and much more. They built a life full of friends some that have spanned the entire time that they have been in Canada.
Mum was an exceedingly strong woman, an important role model to us over the years.
She was there for us – each and every one of us – and there for us in the way we needed. And she ran the house – cooked, cleaned, dealt out the chores, typed reports for a couple of her kids who were always finishing things at the last minute, she knit sweaters, made skating outfits, drove us everywhere, braided countless heads of hair – she could do that in her sleep! These are things to be thankful for but this misses something --- it misses that this was her legacy – her family was her legacy. These were her gifts to us always given, seldom needing until that became necessary later.

Mum had a special presence about her – you noticed her when she came into a room - a kind of life force that people were drawn to this. Naturally on the shy side this was balanced nicely by a completely mischievous side. She loved to laugh and tell stories and had such a way with words. The poem on the card you received has Woodsworth’s daffodils – a poem she was happy to recite over her life time having loved and memorized it in her youth. It has a touch of the wonder of things, of how beauty is worth it although fleeting – these are things that Lorna deeply understood.
The birth of Siobhan, her grandchild was special for both of our parents and the bond that Amma formed with Siobhan was unbreakable – it was delightful to see them in action - to watch mum play, sing and love her ‘sausage pudding’.
Mum opened our eyes and palates in life and for that we are all so grateful. And this was all in the service of connecting with others – something that she was so very good at, so easy for her to tune in to another person and listen to their story – shutting out all else for the moment. This is when she shone and I think received such pleasure in life. Something as a family we recently witnessed as our mother rallied in her last days to spend a day with us – smiling, talking, laughing, reaching out to touch our foreheads as a blessing, but also a touch of such tenderness and such love.
It is hard to say good bye to this woman. Really hard
It is by far --- better to picture her on the next part of her journey. Face alight, head and nose turned up, back straight and looking ahead with a smile of anticipation.
We love you and we will always cherish you in our hearts.

from Esmond Pereira in Sydney, Australia:

Dear David,
I was surprised and saddened to learn of the untimely passing away of your dear wife and soulmate Lorna. She was indeed a loveable person,always cheerful, witty and an ideal ,caring wife to you and mother of your children. I realise how grief stricken you will be after sharing 57 years of happy married life with her. However she is now free from the travails of her earthly life and is enjoying eternal bliss with her Creator.My heartfelt condolences go out to you and your children and pray that the Almighty will comfort all of you in sustaining your grief and grievous loss. Bye for now,
Love and Best Wishes,
Esmond.

My dear David,
Just heard from Joy's communication that dear Lorna passed away on Good Friday morning and that all the family was with her. My heartfelt condolences to you, Patrick, Joy, Cheryl and Lisa and their families. All of you have surrounded her with love ever since she was admitted to the Home - praise the Lord!
You will feel the loss of Lorna most deeply, David. I will offer a Mass for dear Lorna that she may now enjoy the fullness of life and love in God's presence, and will continue praying for you and all the family.
In sorrow and with love
Yours affectionately
Father Rex
St. Joseph's College
Tiruchirapalli
Tamil Nadu

from Sheila Albuquerque in Geneva:

Dearest David,
I am so sorry to hear the sad news of Lorna's passing away. Charmaine, Stefanie, Paul and Denise join me in sending you, Patrick, Joy, Cheryl and Lisa our deepest sympathies in your bereavement. Your loss is our loss too as both our families have spent much time together in past and present times. I cannot forget that you both were there to console me when Bassy passed away. May Lorna's dear soul rest in peace. I will offer a Mass for the repose of her soul.

I am with you in spirit, dear David, in these sorrowful moments. I pray that God will console you in your grief and give you the courage to face this difficult time.

Thinking to you, Patrick, Joy, Cheryl and Lisa,
Yours in sympathy,
Sheila

Dear David and children, we are grieved to hear that dear Lorna has passed away. Our condolences and sympathy. We had met her only once briefly in Delhi over 50 years ago and still remember her as a charming and affectionate person. "When we die we go but to God, and God is always near us". With our love, Beeba, Austen and family.

I am thinking of you all on this day, as you lad your mum to rest. I wish I could be there but I am in spirit. I love you all and your parents as my own. I love your mum's inspiration, strength, beauty, honesty, stubbornness, laughter, smile and love. She was amazing and passed that to her kids.
love +++ Martine Comty-Bingham

Sending much love to David, Lisa, Joy, Cheryl, Patrick and all the extensions, from the entire McKenzie clan - Lorna was truly one of a kind, a wonderful, fabulous force to be reckoned with!!! And when she and mom got together, double the force!!! Fate brought Mom and Lorna together in Brandon in the 70’s as nurses and they became instant soul sisters, bringing our two families together in a friendship that spanned decades and many miles. Lorna had that unstoppable joie de vivre, an infectious sense of adventure AND mischief(!), a beautiful kind heart, and a deep soulful faith in the world. We all LOVED her!! She was a gift and a giver, her energy will live on and her memory treasured in our hearts. We are with you, across the miles and will say a prayer on Friday……. Much love, Johanne and Barry et al – Norma, and John (they will be having a good laugh together), Laurel, Karen, Patti and Gord xxoo

My memories of Lorna, go back to the late 1960’s - when I had the great fortune of having Dr. David Albuquerque as one of my attendings in Surgery at St. Marthas Hospital in our home town of Bangalore, India. It was a privilege to also be related to this great teacher. Sometime during this brief period, I had occasions to meet Lorna, at St. John’s Medical School functions but also from visiting them at their home. Like my other classmates we were struck by the dignified charm and grace of this young “foreigner” . She may have looked foreign, but we felt that she was so accepting and adaptive to our ways and manners. Decades later my wife Rita and I caught up with our teacher, Lorna and the Albuquerque family in Chicago. What a joyful memorable weekend it was. My original impressions of Lorna were totally confirmed - she was still all charm, grace and warmth, but also sparkled with her conversation and gentle humor. Sweet memories linger. We grieve with you the loss of this happy lovely lady. God Bless you all. Peter and Rita Noronha and family.

Dear David, Joy, Patrick, Lisa, Cheryl & family, I am so sorry to hear of Lorna's passing. I have added a picture of your beautiful wife & mother at my sister Anna's wedding at the Rideau Club in Ottawa. My parent's house, across the street in the Glebe was overflowing with relatives, so Lorna very kindly offered her guest room to me. We had a wonderful time both at the wedding, and the day before at Anna's Hen Party, on a sunny summer afternoon at the Ritz Cafe on the canal. Lorna was a special person who could light up any room she entered, our family will miss her. Lots of love, Fiona & family