Vienna Fernandes

Vienna was born on 19th February 1938 in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, the daughter of Gaspar and Maria Preçiosa Pereira. Sadly, her mother died when she was just nine years old. After some years in Goa - Ambora and Betalbatim, she moved with her father and brothers, Reggie and Sunny to Nakuru, Kenya. Vienna attended Goan School and later Menangai High School, where she met many of her lifelong friends, including her husband Ceasar. Her first recollections of Ceasar were that he was a tall, strong boy, good at sports and a friend of her brothers. She was shy and he often teased her about her hockey skills. She was good at her studies, especially mathematics and spoke Portuguese, Swahili and Konkani as well as English. One of her first jobs after leaving school was as a Secretary at Kenya County Council. She had a keen interest in dressmaking, cooking, darts, table-tennis, cycling adventures with her friends, going to dances and listening to live bands. She regularly met her friends at the Nakuru Goan Institute where she would attend and help organise sports and social events. In January 1966, Vienna married Ceasar. Their daughter Pressie was born later that year. Four years later, Terrance was born and in 1972 the family moved to England, settling in Leicester. Her first impressions of the U.K. were that it was cold, grey and lacking in social activities, not surprising when compared to life in Kenya. Vienna’s strength and hard-working attitude helped her to find a job and quickly settle down. In 1974, Kevin was born. Vienna and Ceasar made many treasured friends in Leicester, however, in 1976, due to improved employment prospects and a chance to be nearer to her brothers and to Ceasar’s family, she and her family moved to Welling, Kent. Vienna worked in credit control for Cadbury-Schweppes whilst her children were studying. She had a strong Catholic faith which she instilled in her family. She enjoyed travelling, good food – being a good cook herself, football – an enthusiastic Arsenal supporter and a formidable opponent at card games. She enjoyed watching the occasional soap opera and a good discussion about current affairs. Vienna was an intelligent, caring and humble woman, always willing to help. She made an impression on people because of her direct and forthright attitude - what you saw was what you got - an example most of us can only hope to emulate. She will be dearly missed by her children, family, friends and colleagues.