Tura, Oct 26: One of the oldest missionary educators of St Xaviers School in Tura, Sr. Elizabeth D’Souza, is no more. She passed away this morning in Nirmali, Shillong. She was 83.
A devoted member of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Christ Jesus (MCJ), Sister Elizabeth dedicated her life to the service of God and the Church, touching the lives of countless children, families and communities, particularly among the tribal people of Northeast India. Having taught at St Xaviers for well over three decades, hundreds of Tura’s citizens passed through the caring hands of Sr Elizabeth.
The Funeral Mass will take place on October 27, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Nirmali Chapel, Red Hill Road, Laitumkhrah, Shillong. The Mass will be officiated by Most Rev. Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh, DD, followed by burial at Laitumkhrah Catholic Cemetery in the presence of the sisters, friends, well-wishers and loved ones. The announcement was made by Sr. Maria D’Silva, MCJ, Regional Directress of the Missionaries of Christ Jesus, Region of India.
Born on September 8, 1943, in Mangalore, Karnataka, to Mathais and Juliana D’Souza, Sr. Elizabeth answered the call to religious life by entering the Institute of the Missionaries of Christ Jesus on December 3, 1971. She made her first religious commitment on May 24, 1974, and her final consecration on June 17, 1979.
For more than five decades, Sr. Elizabeth lived her missionary vocation through education, pastoral outreach and compassionate service to the poor. Her journey took her to Damra, Raliang, Tura, Mendal, Shillong, Maweit, Ziro and Mawkadeng in Jowai, where she served in various responsibilities as a teacher, hostel in-charge, assistant headmistress, school in-charge, Local Directress and Novice Mistress.
A gifted educator with a B.A. and B.Ed., she was proficient in English, Marathi, Hindi, Garo and Khasi. Her ability to communicate across languages and cultures helped her build meaningful relationships with the people she served. Yet, those who knew her remember that her greatest gift was not simply her education or administrative ability, but her kindness, humility and genuine concern for others.
At St. Xavier’s School in Tura, where she taught from the institution’s early years, Sr. Elizabeth was remembered as a gentle, soft-spoken English teacher who cared deeply for her students.
Her commitment to education went far beyond the classroom. At a time when the school faced financial difficulties and could not pay teachers’ salaries, she continued teaching voluntarily. For her, the education of children was not merely a profession but a mission she had embraced with faith and love.
She also made time to visit families and understand their struggles. During holidays, she accompanied fellow sisters to the Leper Colony, extending friendship and care to people who were often neglected by society. She worked alongside her students in maintaining the school, teaching them through her own example the values of responsibility, dignity and service.
Her life quietly demonstrated that missionary work was not confined to preaching or religious activities. It was also about standing beside people in their everyday difficulties and helping children find hope through education.
Former students from Mawkadeng, Jowai, fondly recall Sr. Elizabeth’s dedication to the poor children of Madankynsaw, where she taught English at St. Dominic School. Her patient teaching, personal attention and concern for children from disadvantaged backgrounds left a lasting impression on those who passed through her classroom.
For these children, she was more than a teacher. She was a caring presence who encouraged them to learn, grow and believe in their potential. Her service among tribal communities reflected the missionary spirit of accompanying people with respect, compassion and a willingness to share in their joys and hardships.
Her missionary journey also took her to Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh, where she served the young parish with love and dedication under the guidance of Bishop Benny Varghese Edathattel.
Whether in the schools of Meghalaya or the emerging Christian community in Arunachal Pradesh, she brought the same spirit of commitment and simplicity to her work.
Those who encountered her remember a woman of discipline, humility and generosity, whose faith was expressed through everyday actions rather than grand gestures. She gave her time freely, served without seeking recognition and remained close to the people entrusted to her care.
For generations of students, particularly those from poor tribal families, her memory will remain that of a teacher who gave even when she had little to give, a missionary who accompanied people in their struggles and a sister whose kindness spoke louder than words.
