Social and Personal

BONNICI PERESSO. On November 18, at St James Hospital, Zabbar, to Chiara and Frank, God's precious gift of a daughter - TARA, a welcome sister to Ella, Sasha and Phoebe. Special thanks to the obstetrician, midwife Anna Croucher, childbirth educator Marianne Theuma and all the staff for their special care and dedication.

CALAMATTA. To Kate née Gordon and Matthew, in UK, the gift of a son - ALEXANDER.

CARDONA TALIANA. On November 28, at St Philip's Hospital, to Joanne née Taliana and Dominic, God's precious gift of a second-born daughter - KRISTA, a most welcome sister to Alessia. Thanks to the obstetrician, paediatrician, midwife Carmen Cannataci and all the maternity staff for their dedication and kindness.

FRANCALANZA. On November 10, at St James Hospital, Zabbar, to Juniper Hayer Winfield and Adrian, God's precious gift of a daughter - LILIANA CAROLINA, a welcome sister to Gaetano Kryn. Special thanks to the obstetrician, midwife Anna Croucher, childbirth educator Marianne Theuma and all the staff for their special care and dedication.

GAUCI. On November 23, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Vanessa née Azzopardi and Chris, God's precious gift of a daughter - MATTEA. Thanks be to God. Special thanks go to all the staff at the maternity ward, especially to midwife Alexia Sciberras.

SAMMUT. On November 19, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Ruth née Vassallo and Noel, God's precious gift of a son - JOHN ALEXANDER, a brother to Christian. Thanks to midwife Maria Agius Portelli and to all the staff at the post-natal ward.

Marriages

Mr STEPHEN GRECH, MA, E.Commerce (Kent), ACIB and Ms DENISE VELLA
The marriage took place on December 3 at the Sanctuary of Our Lady, Mellieha, between STEPHEN, son of Mr and Mrs Albert Grech of Birkirkara, and DENISE, daughter of Mr and Mrs Charles Vella of Tal-Virtù, Rabat. Fr David Cilia celebrated nuptial Mass. The ceremony was witnessed by Mr Robert Frendo and Mrs Sharon Isabel Grech. The duties of best men were carried out by Mr Martin Grech and Mr David Grech. The bride was attended by Ms Audrey Xuereb. Miss Stephanie Gauci was flower-girl. Mr Stephen Grech and Mr James Grech acted as ushers. A reception was later held at Castello dei Baroni, Wardija. The couple are spending their honeymoon in Fiji and Australia.

Silver Wedding

Mr PATRICK GIACOMOTTO and Ms MYRIAM DeBONO
The marriage took place on Thursday, December 4, 1980, at Our Lady of Loreto chapel, Guardamangia, between PATRICK and MYRIAM. Congratulations, much love and gratitude to Mum and Dad from Keith, Steve and girlfriend Maria.

Obituary

CASSAR. On December 2, HELEN née Xuereb, aged 60, went to meet the Risen Lord, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She left this vale of tears peacefully. She left to mourn her loss her beloved husband Chris, her daughter Sharon and her husband Jason, her son Walter-John, her only grandchild Karl, her sisters Anne and Doris, her brother Henry and his wife Irene, her in-laws, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends.
The funeral leaves Gozo General Hospital today at 4 p.m. for Xaghra collegiate basilica, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 4.30 p.m. Dear Lord, grant her eternal rest.

GALEA. On November 7, BENEDICT JAMES, formerly of Tarxien, passed peacefully away in Australia, aged 83. He leaves to mourn his irreparable loss his wife Mary née Mifsud, his children Frank, Miriam, Tony, Joan and their spouses, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his sister Maria Muscat, his brother-in-law Francis and his wife Brenda, his sisters-in-law Karmena Mifsud, Maria Galea and Lorenza Galea, numerous relatives and friends, among whom Fr Spiridione Tabone, Mgr Lawrence Mifsud, Fr Joseph Mifsud, OSA, and Canon Mario Agius.
A Mass for the repose of his soul will be said tomorrow at 6.30 p.m. at Tarxien parish church. The attendance of relatives and friends will be greatly appreciated.

HARMSWORTH. On December 3, at St Vincent de Paul Residence, Joseph, aged 81, passed peacefully away comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his beloved wife Josephine, his children Victor and his wife Vivi, Frankie widower of Miriam, Vincent and his wife Silvana, Doris and her husband John, his grandchildren, their families and fiancées, great-grandchildren, his sister Rose and her husband Brian residing in the UK, other relatives and friends, especially ex-colleagues of the Signal Centre, Castille.
Mass praesente cadavere will be said at the Holy Trinity church, Marsa, tomorrow at 8.30 a.m., followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Id-Dar tal-Providenza will be greatly appreciated.

MERCIECA. On December 2, at St Philip's Hospital, MARGUERITE née de Giorgio, widow of Victor, aged 86, passed peacefully away, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. Deeply mourned by her son Michael and his wife Alison, her grandchildren Jade and Nathan, her daughter Anna, her grandchildren Roger and Veronica and their father Adrian Castillo, her sisters Josephine, widow of Joe Terreni, Rita, widow of Lawrence Ferro, and Mary and her husband Maurice de Giorgio, her great-grandchildren Ariane and Samuel, other relatives and friends.
The funeral leaves St Philip's Hospital tomorrow at 7.45 a.m. for St Julian's parish church where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 8.15 a.m., followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. Her children thank the devoted doctor, consultants and staff of Ward 1, St Philip's Hospital, for their wonderful care and also thank carers and staff at Casa Antonia, Balzan. May light eternal shine upon her.

MUSCAT. On December 2, RAPHAEL (ex-serviceman), aged 80, passed peacefully away to a better life, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his sad loss his wife Mary née Tabone, his children Elizabeth, John and his wife Terry, Mary Grace and her husband Andrew Flinn, Tanya and her husband Malcolm Flinn, his beloved Maltese and Scottish grandchildren, in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
The funeral leaves Casa Antonia, Balzan, tomorrow at 2 p.m. for Christ the King parish church, Paola, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2.30 p.m., followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi, or the Malta Hospice Movement, Balzan, will be greatly appreciated. Dear Lord, grant him eternal rest.

VELLA. On December 2, Rennie, aged 65, passed peacefully away comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Carmen née Tanti, his sons Raymond and his wife Caroline, Christopher and his wife Graziella, and Malcolm, his daughter Josette and her husband Ian, his brothers Frankie and Johnny, his sister Maryanne, his four nephews Andrew, David, Daniel and Luke, his two nieces Maria and Julia, in-laws, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P.
The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital tomorrow at 1.30 p.m. for Guardamangia parish church, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2 p.m., followed by interment at the Tarxien cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Id-Dar tal-Providenza will be appreciated. The family regret they are unable to receive visitors.

Appreciation - Susan Farrugia Sacco

Ms Anna Stivala writes:

I wish to remember Susan forever in her teen years, when we were inseparable. It should not be difficult because she never changed. Enthusiastic, friendly, ready for a laugh, an incorrigible chatterbox, always impeccably groomed. Memories abound of endless chats on the phone or in Susan's bedroom. That was the Sixties. We weren't quite Mary Quant but we aspired to a watered-down version.

To this day, when I walk down Republic Street on my own, in my mind's eye I see Susan and myself walking to or from the then Junior College, and the sea of unknown faces gradually changes to familiar ones, mostly fellow students, today all established politicians or professionals. Inevitably, they called us 'id-Di u d-Do'.

But moreover, Susan had an inner goodness, a calm self-confidence born surely of her happy childhood and ever supporting parents, Connie and the late Alfred Laiviera, who doted on her, and of her strong faith in God which she openly professed.

Some months before her illness, she told me that she had reached a stage in life where she could feel that she was content, fulfilled and satisfied with her lot in life - surely an enviable capacity to feel grateful for and happy with what she had.

Despite the increasing responsibilities and positions she held in life, she never changed or put on any airs. Never would a birthday pass without Susan turning up punctually with a gift and a card and an opportunity to chat and bring ourselves up to date with news, trivial and less so; and this she did with her numerous relatives and friends.

During her illness, her hospital room and home were constantly filled with visitors. I sometimes felt concerned that we were tiring her but she never said as much. She had a knack of always pointing out and praising some particular talent or skill a person had when introducing people.

She always loved being surrounded by friends and she always introduced me, even in these later years, as her bridesmaid, which I had been.

Born on January 26, 1951, Susan was educated at Chiswick House School and later at the Convent of the Sacred Heart.

In 1971 she graduated with Honours in English from the Royal University of Malta and taught English and Religion at her old school practically for the rest of her life except when she was bringing up her two boys, holding the position of assistant head at the time of her untimely death.

She was a competent and efficient teacher and administrator; her work at the school gave her great joy and satisfaction and she felt it was her second home.

She was also an active and much-loved parishioner at St John of the Cross Church, Ta' Xbiex.

She married Mr Justice Carmelo (Lino) Farrugia Sacco in 1976 and they have two sons, David and Steven, both of them lawyers. Susan was a devoted, loving exemplary wife and mother, whose sense of loyalty to her dearest ones, coupled with her respect and love for them, was so evidently mirrored in their care for her during the final illness which ravaged her.

They supported her through the anguish of her illness with heroic love and devotion. And this support moved and sustained her. She constantly told her visitors how touched she was by the tenderness and care her husband and sons, and so many close relatives, showed her.

It is with profound sadness and disbelief that she has truly left us, that I write these few words as a commemoration, a celebration and a tribute to the life of my dearest and loyal friend.

All who knew and loved her watched helplessly and were inevitably appalled by the relentless toll the sickness took on her, especially in the last few weeks. Minutes after she died the news spread around Malta, "Sue is gone".

To her beloved family, Lino, David and Carmen, Steven and Albertine, her little grand daughter Martina, whose arrival was, in her words, "the best thing that happened to me this year," and to her mother, Connie, I extend my sympathy for their great loss. "In the midst of life we are in death".

Farewell, good and loyal friend. Till we meet again, Adieu.

Requiem Masses

Tomorrow being the eighth anniversary of the death of GRACE FELICE GAY, the 11 a.m. Mass at St Barbara church, Valletta, will be offered for the repose of her soul.

Tomorrow being the 34th anniversary of the death of CONNIE MERCIECA, the 8 and 8.30 a.m. Masses said at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica, Valletta, will be offered for the repose of her soul.

In Memoriam

ANTIGNOLO - WALTER. Today the anniversary of his demise. A prayer is solicited. The Antignolo family.

BIASINI - GUIDO. Lovingly remembered. Lord, grant him eternal rest. Marian.

BIASINI - GUIDO. On his 14th anniversary. Always in our prayers. Marie, Daniela and Jean-Paul.

BIASINI - GUIDO. Always remembered with love and affection. John, Margaret, Jean and Nikki.

CALÌ - CARLO. Cherished and unfading memories of a beloved husband, father and grandfather on the 18th anniversary of his death. Lovingly remembered by his wife Yvette, sons Yves and Martin and their families. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

CARUANA - FANNY, 4.12.67. In memory of a loving mother, long gone but never forgotten. Carol Brian and Olga Wain.

CASSAR - JOHN, 4.12.77. Remembered with love and gratitude by his daughter Mary Rose.

CHETCUTI. In loving memory of TINA, a beloved mother and grandmother, today the sixth anniversary of her demise. Never forgotten by Richard, Marina, Lawrence, Jonathan and Andrew. Please remember her in your prayers.

FARRUGIA - JOSEPH P. In lasting memory a dear father on his 28th anniversary. Always in my thoughts and prayers. Gloria.

GALEA - RAPHAEL. In loving memory of my dear husband, today the 16th anniversary of his demise. Always in my thoughts and prayers. Emma.

GALEA - RAPHAEL. In loving memory of a dear father, grandfather and great-grandfather, today the 16th anniversary of his demise. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Joseph and Yvonne, Marika and Charles, Cecilia and Brian, Paula and Sandro, Serena, Rafel, Allen, Keith and Bernard, Claude, Mauro, Enrica and Chloe.

GRECH CUMBO - NELLY, 9.12.95. Treasured memories of a beloved aunt on the 10th anniversary of her demise. Fondly remembered by her nephew Benny, his wife Helen and their children Pierre and Laura Grech Cumbo Pillow. May she rest in peace.

GRECH SANT - BEATRIX. Today the second anniversary of her death. Always remembered with love, pride and gratitude by her daughter and her husband. Masses for the repose of her soul will be said today and tomorrow at Attard parish church.

GRECH SANT - BEATRIX. Remembering our dear nanna on the second anniversary of her demise. Claire, Edward and great-grandson Thomas Alexander.

IZZO - INEZ. In loving memory of a dearly beloved mother, today the eighth anniversary of her demise. Lovingly remembered by her daughter Marilyn, her sons Joe and Edgar, in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

MANGION. In ever loving memory of PAUL on this the fifth anniversary of his death. Deeply loved and missed by his wife Mary, Lina and Leslie Vella, Joseph and Margaret Persiano, grandchildren, relatives and friends. Today's 6.30 p.m. Mass at Balluta parish church, St Julian's, will be offered for the repose of his soul. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

PORTANIER - MARIA née Bartoli. On the 10th anniversary of her death. Always remembered by her sons, daughters and in-laws.

TESTA - JOHN. Cherished and loving memories of a dearly loved husband, father and grandfather, Friday, December 9 being the third anniversary of his demise. Fondly remembered by his wife Edwige, his children Norbert and his wife Isabelle, his daughter Caroline and her husband Charles and grandchildren Marc, Luke and Matthew. A prayer is solicited. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

Sidonia Enterprises Ltd

Christmas shutdown. Last trading day Friday, December 16, reopening on Monday, January 2, 2006.

Personal

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, loved adored and glorified throughout the whole world now and forever. Amen. N. Bugeja.

Lost

On November 25, ginger-coloured cat, about three years old, within the limits of Hamrun/Guardamangia. As it is very tame and de-clawed, it will not survive on the streets. Anyone who has found or sees it is asked to SMS or phone 7986-2685 or 2122 5965 and ask for Stephen.

Holistic Healing

An ancient, safe, non-intrusive art which addresses issues related to mind, body and spirit. Why not try it now and experience its wholesome benefits. Reiki by Reiki master, Ear Hopi candle by qualified practitioner. For appointment phone 7959-4919 or 2149-0224.

Pharmacies Open Tomorrow

Malta: 9 a.m. - noon - Gozo 7.30 - 11 a.m.
Vilhena Pharmacy, 37, St Anne Street, Floriana
Fra Diego Dispensary, 94, Villambrosa Street, Hamrun
Fatima Pharmacy, Triq iz-Zonqor, St Venera
St Theresa Pharmacy, 207, Main Street, Birkirkara
Regal Pharmacy, 39B, Antonio Bosio Street, Msida
San Giorgio Pharmacy, Manwel Buhagiar Street, Pembroke
Edward's Pharmacy, 115, Manwel Dimech Street, Sliema
Balzan Pharmacy, 70, St Francis Street, Balzan
Grognet Pharmacy, 41, Constitution Street, Mosta
Village Pharmacy, 116, Main Street, Mellieha
Portelli's Dispensary, 1, Luqa Road, Paola
Alpha Pharmacy 'Maria Immaculata', Cospicua Road, c/w Cottoner Avenue, Fgura
Polymer Pharmacy, Xghajra Road, Zabbar
Gudja Pharmacy, 25, St Cyrus Street, Gudja
Salus Pharmacy, 21, Republic Square, Zurrieq
Menelo Pharmacy, Dr Nikola Zammit Street, Siggiewi
Healthwise Pharmacy, 36, Francesco Zammit Street, Dingli
Castle Pharmacy, 2, Independence Square, Victoria, Gozo
Joyce's Pharmacy, 8th September Avenue, Xaghra.