Philomena Chand

Philomena known to us as Crushie. Crushie was my sister-in-law. My late husband Robert (Buddy) and I share many precious memories. She was dedicated to raising and inspiring her children to have a brighter future while giving to her community. Crushie you have completed what you have intended to do and now resting in the hands of the Lord. To the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, my deepest sympathy. Hopefully with the passage of time it gets a little easier. All my love, Auntie Nellie

[the following was read at the service by my sister Sheila] I have been asked by my sister Maureen (who cannot be here due to medical issues) to read the following; these are her words. I am here to celebrate the life of Philomena Chand. My name is Maureen, second oldest child of this remarkable woman who was my mother! Philomena came from humble parents with only a single mother to raise her and her two younger brothers who are now deceased. Philomena knew what it was to be poor and struggled daily to uplift herself from a very young age. She married a man, my father, who came from wealthy parents and who disowned him because he married my mother. After the birth of her twin daughters, Philomena lost one of them when the child was two years old. My mother suffered greatly and was devastated at the loss of her child. Thereafter, I was born. My mother decided to raise her daughters in a different environment than her own. She was from a Hindu family but she joined the Catholic faith. She strongly believed in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and trusted Him to influence her life. She and my father moved into a better area where there were good Catholic private schools and a very healthy environment for young girls. She believed in education and fought for her girls to attend the best schools! These schools had good after-school programs and she enrolled them in several activities such as tennis, piano lessons, Hindi lessons, etc. They were exposed to all the best options. Eventually she sent them to England to further their studies and worked really hard to upkeep them in England. We eventually completed our education, had good jobs, and got married to well educated husbands. She always instilled good values in us and brought us up to be fine young ladies. She learned to sew clothes by herself, making her own patterns and designing beautiful outfits for me and my sister. We were the most fashionable kids in the neighbourhood. She was a great host of parties and prepared many exotic and creative dishes. She prepared these dishes calmly and hid any stress. She worked very hard also helping my father to grow his business. She was not only the “woman behind the man”, but at a par with him without hurting his feelings. After the death of my father, she became a widow at 46 years old with two young sons whom she had to raise alone and did not ask any help from me and my sister. She decided to move to London, Ontario and she acquired a job on her first day at an exclusive store where she became a Linen Department head and Buyer for the company. This was a woman who had no working experience outside of her family business in Guyana. When asked for a résumé, she calmly replied, “I was happy to raise my 4 children while simultaneously helping my husband to run his business”. She helped various people in all aspects of their lives. She sent barrels of clothes, foodstuff and toys to the poor relatives in Guyana, the country where she was born, and she never forgot her roots. Here she enrolled in university and attended classes for seniors and completed many courses of value to her. She volunteered all over London and was a great asset to the community. Our mother struggled, met various challenges, was persevering, determined, made many sacrifices and always showed a good example. From these attributes she made my sister and I who we are today: 2 strong independent women! My dearest mother I thank you from the bottom of my heart and to day I hope you are in Paradise with Jesus Christ your saviour! Thank you.

I read the following at the funeral service: My name is Sheila Janki Bingham, I am the first born child of Philomena. She was a devoted mother, 
who seemed forever youthful. And that’s how I will always remember her: young, beautiful and full of life. Growing up in Guyana was not always easy for our family. But despite the odds, my mother managed to take care of us in the best way she could. She cared deeply for us, sometimes to an extreme. She was often strict, but loving.  Often feeding us strange concoctions of overly healthy food, like pure unfiltered spinach juice. She wanted us to be strong and healthy. As a young girl, she always encouraged me to continue my education. Outside of school, she sent me to classes for fencing, tennis, other languages like Urdu and piano lessons.  She wanted me to broaden my horizon. And when the time came for college, she fought for me and my sister to leave Guyana for London, England. She opened up a world of opportunity for me and changed my life forever. I will forever be grateful to her for this. Her children were everything to her. 
Her thoughts were always so full of us,  she never could forget us,
so I think that is where she is right now, She must be watching us yet. Mommy, Did we remember to thank you enough For all you did for us? For teaching us by example, The value of hard work, good judgment, courage and integrity? I wonder if we ever thanked you For the sacrifices you made. To let us have the very best? For the simple things Like laughter, smiles and fun times we shared? You fed me well,  you made me strong
 You taught me to know right from wrong. I will think of you now as an Angel looking over me from afar,  In dreams you will come often, and sit beside me.  You will talk of lovely times gone by, Times of making others happy. You will talk of sunshine, of flowers, and memories.  If flowers grow in heaven then pick a bunch me And place them in my mother’s arms
and tell her they’re from me. Mommy you will always be in my heart!  I love you

Such a giving lady. She liked to recall her days at Kingsmill, she was so proud of her children and grandchildren. It was always an event having a visit with Philomena. I will truly miss her spirit. God bless.

I will miss your beautiful smiling face and your wonderful wit. Rest in peace dear Philomena.

I am so sorry for the loss of a wonderful woman .Philomena will be missed greatly . I was her neighbour in unit 53. We made many of barbecues over the years and shared with Philomena .She has gained her angel wings . May she Rest In Peace. Love MaryAnn, Gwen , Ron and family ❤️🙏