Obituary of Joselda Maria da Silveira Camara Jeronimo

On Friday, May 20, 2022, Joselda Maria da Silveira Camara Jeronimo, loving wife and mother, passed away at age 81.

Joselda was born on December 10, 1940, in the village of Fazenda Flores, Açores, Portugal, to Antonio and Amelia (Silveira) Camara. The last of seven children, she was smart, artistic, lively, and kind-hearted — enjoying a close relationship with her five brothers and one sister. Growing up, she often cared for her loving but chronically ill father which led her to aspire to become a nurse. Convinced by her mother to pursue a different path, she put her love of learning to use by studying to become a teacher on the island of Terceira — making her the first of her family to receive a post-secondary education. But as luck would have it, she soon met her future husband Aurelio Jeronimo (who was living in Canada) while he was on a surprise visit back home. After nearly a year of long-distance courting, she became his wife in a civil service and left the Açores to join her husband overseas. On October 11, 1969 (shortly after her arrival), they had a church wedding and started their lives together — eventually becoming parents to Margaret and Marilyn and the owners of Greenbank General Store, which she primarily managed for 11 years. 

After selling their business, Joselda and her husband enjoyed going on long drives and exploring. She was a skilled gardener (a passion she shared by her husband), sewer, knitter and crochetier, and great with planning and executing home projects (such as the extensive patio on the back of their previous home in Brechin). Friendly, loving, and quick to smile, Joselda was a patient, caring person who drew others to her and was always ready to welcome them into her home and her heart.

Joselda was preceded in death by her husband (Aurelio), her mother and father (Antonio and Amelia), and all of her siblings: Dinis, Antonio, Moises, Maria Aurora, Jose and Luduino. She is survived by her daughters, Marilyn (Evan) and Margaret (Ryan) and her grandson, James, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews throughout the Açores, Canada and the United States. 

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 29^th, 2022 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at DENNING’S OF STRATHROY. The funeral Mass will be held at All Saints Church on May 30^th, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.  Interment to follow at All Saints Cemetery, Strathroy, with a reception at All Saints Church. As expressions of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lakeshore Lodge Long-term Care home. Online condolences and donations may be left at www.strathroyfuneralhome.com.