Dona Bertha Menezes has been the spirit of Carnival at the Swiss Chapel in Angod-Mapusa since the time I was learning to walk. Through the 1960s and 1970s, she single handedly organized the celebration with the Queen,Swiss Guards and ballions of chicks marching to the tunes of ' Rataplao'. He spirit was indomitable. At the age of 85 years, she still found the energy to guide Wynoma Faria and Len Pereira in training children to present the 'Rataplao' at the Mhapsa Fest. It was to be he swansong, her last farewell before she move to the other world to present the show. Gertrudes Berta de Souza e Menezes[1918-2004] passed into history on 09 March, 2004, amidst the riot of colours that mark 'Shigmo'. For her it will always be the colours of Spring.
The name of Dona Bertha has always been associated with the Farmacia Joao Menezes, named after her husband and now run by her son,Camilo.Her grandson, Sandeep Jacques, who was the Deputy Collector at Mapusa and is now MD of Goa IDC, is a well known person of the current generation. Dona Bertha,obviously, requires no introduction to Mapsekars. She will be laid to rest at 1600 hours [4 P.M.] on 10 March,2004, in this town that she loved so much . We bid her adieu and hope to stage the 'Rataplao' march in her memory at the carnival next year. May her spirit of spring live on. Viva Goa. Miguel --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.543 / Virus Database: 337 - Release Date: 11/21/2003 ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
