Our beloved Mama and Avita, Maria Teresa Penty (Cachot Rocher), passed away peacefully in Victoria, on March 31, 2020. Teresin, as she was known in her family, was born the third of four children, in 1924 in Reus, Spain, to loving parents Juan and Amparo. In her early youth the family moved from their native Catalunya to Madrid, where their devotion, strength and unity saw them through the difficult years of the siege of Madrid during the Spanish Civil War. After the war, Maria Teresa expanded her linguistic skills to become fluent in five languages, and served as a national youth leader for Acción Católica.
In 1954, Maria Teresa joined her husband Richard in Ontario, where she nurtured her five children, Carmen, Martin, Jane, Arthur, and Rosalind, and proudly shared her Spanish culture with them. Her early life in Canada took her in quick succession through Windsor, London, Mitchell, Stirling, Ajax, Timmins before finally settling in Ottawa. In later years she thrived working at the Spanish Commercial Office and teaching evening Spanish classes. In 1979 she moved to Victoria, British Columbia, where she continued to enjoy teaching Spanish at the YMCA.
A kind and warm woman of great intelligence, enormous grace, and compassionate faith, she was a treasured matriarch to her children, grandchildren, and their partners. By her grandchildren she was known with great affection as Avita, a name derived from Avia (grandmother) in her native Catalan. She will be remembered as a generous and listening friend to many in both her church and community. We will miss her and all that she brought to our world. Gracias Mama, Gracias Avita, por todo lo que nos has dado.
A Funeral Mass will be held at a future date.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallgardens.com. As the family would love to hear from any and all who were touched by Maria Teresa in her lifetime, please leave a note or story on this website. Should you have a private memory to share with the family, please add a note in the condolence message that you would like to be contacted and your email address will be forwarded to them.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Rosy Williams
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Bridget Williams Aunt Tere, the last of her generation in our family. She was at the centre of a hub or a wheel with many spokes…..now just the ends of the spokes by the rim are left ..brothers sisters and cousins. When I close my eyes I see a petite figure with twinkly eyes(that has not changed much in my head over the years), and I can hear quite clearly her hearty laugh and distinctive accented voice. She was like a sister(in law) to my mother Mary, always interested in what her children and grandchildren were up to and she would remember what we were all doing and quiz us accordingly on one of her trans-Atlantic phone calls. When we visited Victoria in 2013 she made us a tortilla in her flat…I thought I was paying attention to her precise method but can’t make my Spanish omelette taste like hers!
Love to all the family, take care and look after yourselves in these strange times.
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Sabrina Bowman My dearest Elysia, Carmen and family. I remember a delightful dinner with Avita in Victoria with Elysia, myself and our friend Andrea. She cooked us delicious food and charmed us with her good humour and joy. The love between Elysia and her Avita has always been a beautiful thing to witness.
Sending love to the family during this challenging time.
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Dom Lopez Maria was one of our dearest friends. My first and lasting impression of her was that she was an extraordinary person possessing qualities that we most exalt, dignity and sincerity. These virtues she carried in the most effortlessly and as naturally as the fragrance of a flower in bloom.
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Frances Walker Tere was my much beloved aunt. I remember her for her kindness warmth and compassion and her vitality. Living in England there weren’t many opprtunities to see Tere but she was over in England at several significant days of my life one being at the funeral of my husband Ian. On that day many words were said but l remember hers and am grateful and lucky she was there that day to give me some of her strength and compassion. I shall miss Tere very much. My thoughts have been with all the family’s relatives friends and my
Canadian cousins. Mucb love Frances
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Peter Renczes Madame Penty was a good friend of
Marie when both taught French. We both loved her very much.
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José Luis Pérez Sánchez Conocía a la familia Cachot a través del hermano de María Teresa, Vicepresidente de la Cámara de Comercio de Madrid, que vivía enfrente de mi casa, en Santa Cruz de Marcenado en Madrid. Luego, cuando me destinaron a Ottawa tuve la suerte de encontrarme una Oficina Comercial dirigida en la práctica con gran habilidad y simpatía por María Teresa. Recuerdo siempre su buen hacer diario, su simpatía con todos, su amabilidad, su eficiencia, su inteligencia y buenos consejos en alguna de las difíciles situaciones que pasamos y de las que la Oficina siempre salió airosa.
Pero no solo en lo profesional tengo que recordarla y alabarla, y eso que con ella en Ottawa, la Oficina fue como una segunda , grande y querida familia.
Además de una excelente profesional fue una persona llena de proximidad y cariño, a la que siempre he tenido muy cerca en mi amistad y mis recuerdos, aunque la vida se la llevo a Victoria, y a nosotros por el resto del mundo. Pero ella y sus hijas mayores fueron parte de mi propia familia y han estado y estarás siempre en mi recuerdo y en mi corazón.
Carmen; Jane, vosotras y vuestros hermanos podéis sentiros muy orgullosos de la gran persona que ha sido vuestra madre
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Itzel Vargas A la Señora Tere, la conocí en Victoria en julio de 2011, cuando estudiaba inglés allá, nos conocimos en la Catedral de St Andrews, ella estaba como voluntaria los lunes de 13:00 a 15:00, desde un inicio me recibió con una cálida sonrisa y al preguntarme de donde era y saber que de México, comenzó a hablarme en español, diciéndome que era originaria de España, de ahí cada lunes hicimos consecutivas nuestras idas de lunch o café en Murrchies, siempre fue mi familia de Victoria, quien me llamaba y se preocupaba por mi, conoció a mi mamá, cada verano que volvía a Canada, nos veíamos, en alguna ocasión nos preparó su famosa paella a mi mamá y a mi y nosotras la llevamos a comer comida mexicana, siempre fue un amor de persona y un gran ejemplo a seguir. Festejamos su cumpleaños y el mío, me enseño tantas cosas, siempre la voy admirar.
Un beso y abrazo hasta el cielo Señora Tere. Siempre estará en mi corazón.
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Gary Carter and Raymond Lee We had the pleasure of enjoying your Teresa’s company many times over the years. She was a dear friend of our Aunt Loreen. We will remember Teresa as a highly intelligent woman, with a zest for life and a wonderful sense of humor. I have no doubt that Teresa and Loreen are in heaven, up to their usual friendly bantering. We count our blessing to have know and enjoyed their company for many years.
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Judith Schillo I met Teresa several years ago on my first trip to Victoria to visit to Noah and Elysia. I felt as if I already knew her, from the many stories they had shared. What a blessing it was to gather around the table and share laughter, food and great conversation with Teresa , her children and grandchildren. Teresa lived a full life and gave so generously of her many gifts and talents to all she met. I will remember her wit, humor, wisdom and smile. The last time I saw Teresa was Several months ago in a video chat with her great grandson , Taise. The joy and laughter they were sharing together as Teresa talked with him lit up my soul . It is this picture of her I will keep in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with all of her family. Teresa will be greatly missed .She has left a wonderful legacy in the beautiful family she raised, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
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Andrés y familia Conocimos a Avita hace unos tres años en Victoria, recordamos su calidez, generosidad y amabilidad. Nos contó algunas historias, y dejó que Aidan y Jovan jugaran con una cabaña rompecabezas que había en su sala. Le deseamos buen viaje…
Andres
I know Avita from when I was younger, she was a very kind person. She was so loving and caring. love Aidan.
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Andrea Saldanha I am so very sorry for your loss. My sincere condolences to the family near and far.
I remember meeting Elysia’s Avita several times in Victoria. In particular, I remember meeting her in 2016 when I was newly engaged.
I just dug out my journal because I had written down her sage advice. Avita said to me, “This is your best job and the one to which you are most accountable. The other jobs are not. Measure your words. You cannot take them back”.
Such wisdom and delivered with humour and care! During our visits we had a great discussion about cannabis, love, travel – and then Avita served us homemade flan in her apartment. Wow, such a presence all in her 90s.
I am sending the family lots of hugs and love in this incredibly tough time. Take good care.
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Kate Williams Aunt Tere
Tere was my mother’s best friend and her sister-in-law, the sister she never had. Mary (Williams) and Tere lived at opposite sides of the world, in England and Vancover/ Victoria, but they talked for hours on the phone right up until my mother died last year. On the rare occasions our families got together, we found a similar approach to the family kitchen and table, and delight in high decibel conversation and laughter.They had a detailed knowledge – too detailed perhaps! – of each other’s families, children and grandchildren. We got an glimpse of this uncanny knowledge from time to time when one or other would make a reference to something or, more likely somebody, they couldn’t possibly know … my, how those wires hummed … She would write personal letters on special occasions and these showed the depth of her knowledge and engagement in our lives.
Tere loved and protected her family with a passion and her family reflected this love in their care for her to the last. Although she lived her life so far from ours in the UK, we all have a very strong sense of Aunt Tere as a very real presence in our lives. Nick and I were thrilled to be welcomed so warmly by the crew – Ros and Bruce, Arthur, Elysia and Noah in June 2019 when went to Victoria primarily to see Tere. She was, as ever, at the heart of the family life and table. She was in good form, and took me out for tea 1:1 in an elegant hotel round the corner.
Mary and Tere were almost exactly the same age when they died. Very long lives, very well lived. Tere will leave a huge hole in the lives of you all, but when you are able to get together you will have a lot to celebrate.
Kate Williams
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John Penty Tía Tere is the last of our parents’ generation to take her leave. In such peace too, despite today’s difficult circumstances.
By phone calls or visits to Winchester UK, or our visits to Victoria BC, Tere always asked after her (great and great-great) nieces and nephews, absorbing our lives’ tides.
Tere, tu sentido de humor seco lo recuerdo y valoro, acompañado de una risa alegre y la vez pícara. Siempre española, sempre català.
Gracias Tere, con amor and love, John
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Javier Pérez Farguell A la familia Penty,
Recuerdo cuando en diciembre de 1978 me incorporé a la oficina comercial de España en Ottawa. Aquella era una pequeña familia y María Teresa ejercía el liderazgo natural, cariñoso y caluroso, que contrastaba con el frío en el exterior. Siempre valoré su inteligencia, clarividencia y también su sentido del humor, aquellas contagiosas risas que nos alegraban la vida. Nunca olvidó Barcelona, Cataluña y España, y me admiraban sus historias de juventud en Reus y Tarragona.
Una vida tan larga y fructífera da para muchísimo, y en este momento triste para todos, debo reconocer que -aunque no siempre lo tuviste fácil-, lo esencial lo hiciste muy bien, extraordinariamente bien. Con todo mi amor, agradecimiento y cariño. Javier
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Andrew, Kay, Ben & Toby Penty- Walton on Thames. England I was very sad to hear of Terris’ death, as she was almost my last remaining aunt alive. Always a warm welcome when we met, and always put me in line, if I was out of order, but in an nice way.
I really got to know her and my uncle Richard back in 1976, when I did a six week holiday via the Greyhound bus, starting at their house in Ottawa, via Montreal to see cousin Carmen ( while at university there), around the ‘States’ to Vancouver, and back across to Ottawa.
At the end of six weeks, I had 53cents in my pocket, not enough to get me to the airport to go home, so they paid for my bus fare. Who would want a 22 year old stranded at their house, eating them out of house! From then on, I came over to Canada several times, and in the early 2000s, with Kay and the boys.
Terri was always fantastic, organized and made you feel at home, whether it be at her house in Victoria and then later at her flat. We will always miss her and our thoughts are with the family at this unfortunate period of time.
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Joanna Penty I always knew Terri was a very special and exceptional woman. Her compassion, warmth and humour were terrific. She will be remembered by all. I certainly always get a warm feeling thinking of Terri, she was my truly inspirational aunt.
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Garry & Leah (Southgate St.) Teresa was a wonderful neighbour. And, after reading her above life history, it is clear she also had a wonderful and full life. Her passion was evident. We will remember her fondly.
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Guillermina Treviño Hargreaves A toda la familia Penty
Escribo en español porque fue esta lengua la que nos unió cuándo como vecinas nos conocimos, Así se inició una amistad que poco a poco se fue convirtiendo en un gran cariño yo nunca tuve una amiga mejor, y siempre pensé que era lo mejor que me había ocurrido en los 20 años que viví en Canadá
Gracias Teresa nunca la olvidaré
Guillermina
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Iván Meade … Y cuando te hayas consolado (siempre se encuentra consuelo), estarás contento de haberla conocido… – Antoinde De Saint-Exúpery
Si alguién me preguntará quién ha sido una de esas personas que siempre ha estado ahi, apoyándome y que no ha sido parte de mi familia, aunque al final lo fué por que cuando eres imigrante tu familia se convierte en las personas de tu entorno y la respuesta sería Avita. Desde el día que conocí Avita a una semana de haber llegado a Canadá; inmediatamente se convirtió en mi Avita (mi abuela en Canadá). SIempre al pendiente de mi, de mis proyectos, que estuviera bien y sobretodo con salud. Definitivamente voy a extrañar nuestra llamada mensual y nuestros lonchecitos en Earls. Siempre con una sonrisa y siempre con un buen consejo en mano y platicándome lo orgullosa de sus hijos e hijas y las interminables aventuras de sus nietos. Tengo muchas anécdotas con ella pero sobretodo tres. Una cuando no sabía que hacer con mi vida y que rumbo tomar, y ella fué ese capitan quién contandome las anécdotas de su hermano me ayudo a tomar rumbo diciendome tu sabes de computadoras anda enseñame que quiero leer El País en línea y escribirle a mi familia y no se como. La segunda cuando le platique que me había enamorado de mi pareja y sus palabras tan cariñosas fuerón: … – Amor es amor, y donde hay amor es donde uno debe de estar, no importa de donde venga… La tercera anécdota es cuando estuve muy enfermo, mal había llegado de una operación muy complicada en Vancouver fué ella la primera en traerme algo de comer, y al ver que estaba muy incómodo por que no me podía levantar o mover me rento inmediatamente una cama de hospital, para que me pudiera mover y estar bien en mi convalecencia. La cama nunca llegó por que no cabía en las puertas pero la intención de que estuviera bien y alimentado fué su prioridad en ese momento.
En verdad que afortunados fuimos quienes la llegamos a conocer y a convivir con ella. Avita siempre será un recuerdo muy entrañable y cariñoso. Un beso hasta el cielo Avita.
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Elizabeth Wolfe We were always thrilled to have Avita join us for family events or just popping by on a more casual basis. She will be remembered for her great sense of humour, enthusiasm, generosity, and sage advice.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know her and have her as a role model – she inspired me and set an excellent example.
I would also like to attend her mass.
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Nicole McCabe Chère Carmen,
Peu importe notre âge, c’est toujours triste de perdre notre mère.
Je sympathise avec toi . Je sais que tu garderas de bons souvenirs de cette mère et femme hors du commun par tout ce qu’elle a vécu.Au plaisir de te revoir ,
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Margaret Morrison I met Teresa at a church event, probably 25 years ago. She was a delightful woman, intelligent, compassionate and full of good advice about teenagers, but never intrusive. I hadn’t seen her recently, and wondered how she was. I knew her children were taking it in turns to come and stay with her following a stroke(?). What a lucky woman she was! Thankyou so much for putting a picture in the paper along with her obituary. I don’t think I knew her family name.
I will have a Mass said for her as soon as I manage to get back down to the Cathedral. And I will watch for her funeral Mass and attend if I can.
Aunt Tere: strong, determined, feisty, down-to-earth, wise, resourceful, kind, outward-looking, stoic, patient and proud, was such an inspirational and figure to me throughout my life. Her commitment to our family and interest in our activities was legendary. As a child, and as an adult again in later life, her long-distance telephone calls from Canada on Christmas day were a source of thrill and excitement, and I will never ever forget the kindness and wisdom she showed towards me during the complications and difficulties associated with my various life challenges.