CAMILLERI. On April 29, at St James Capua Hospital, to Mariella née Borg and Michael, God's precious gift of a daughter - HANNAH, a most welcome sister to Mattia. Deo gratias et Mariae. Thanks to the obstetrician, midwife Lilian Azzopardi and all the staff at St James Capua Hospital for their great support.
CINI. On May 1, at St Philip's Hospital, to Lucienne née Falzon and Ivan, God's precious gift of a first-born son - FRANCESCO. Thanks to the obstetrician, midwives and all maternity staff at the hospital.
CONRAD. On April 27, to Roberta née Zammit and Klaus, the precious gift of a first-born son - NICHOLAS ROBERT MICHAEL. Deo gratias et Mariae.
GRECH. On April 24, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Fiona née Cutajar and Roderick, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - MARTINE ALEXANDRA. Thanks be to God and Our Lady.
GRECH. On April 30, at St James Capua Hospital, to Moira née Farrugia and Konrad, God's precious gift of a daughter - NICOLETTE, a most welcome sister to Martina. Special thanks to the obstetrician, midwife Lilian Azzopardi and all the staff at St James Capua Hospital.
MOUAWAD. On April 25, underwater, at St James Hospital, to Ruth née Dougall and Raymond, God's precious gift of a daughter - CHANELLE MARIA, a welcome sister to Jessica Maria. Thanks to St Anna. Special thanks to midwife Anna Croucher and doula Marianne Theuma.
STELLINI. On April 30, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Nicky née Sullivan and Gianfranco, God's precious gift of a first-born son - SEBASTIAN.
ZAHRA. On April 30, at St Philip's Hospital, to Rosette née Cassar and Alfio, God's precious gift of a daughter - MAY, a welcome sister to Ian, Amy and Neil. Thanks to Carmen Cannataci and all the staff.
Engagements
Mr REUBEN PORTANIER, B.Com. (Hons.) Econ. and Miss PAMELA MIZZI
The engagement is announced between REUBEN, son of Mr and Mrs Ivan Portanier, and PAMELA, daughter of Mr and Mrs Joseph Mizzi. The engagement was blessed by Fr Patrick Magro on Saturday, May 3.
Marriages
Dr MIGUEL DeBONO and Dr NICOLA BUTTIGIEG
The marriage took place on Wednesday, March 19, at Stella Maris parish church, Sliema, between MIGUEL, elder son of Mr and Mrs Anthony DeBono of San Gwann, and NICOLA, elder daughter of Dr and Mrs George Buttigieg of Kappara. Nuptial Mass was celebrated by His Grace the Archbishop, Mgr Joseph Mercieca, and concelebrated by Mgr Arthur Said Pullicino. The ceremony was witnessed by Dr Stephen Montfort, MD, Ph.D. (Soton), FRCP (Lond.), FCCP, and Professor Godfrey Laferla, MD, MRCS, FRCS, FRCSRCPS, FRCS (Ed.), Ph.D. Dr Nicolai Briffa, MD, carried out the duties of best man, while Mr Anatole DeBono, Mr Paul Felice, Mr Josef Micallef, B.Ed. (Hons.), and Dr Kevin Zammit, MD, were ushers. The bride was attended by her sister, Miss Gabrielle Buttigieg, as maid of honour, while Miss Gail Anastasi, B.Sc. (Hons.), M.Sc., and Miss Emma Gauci were bridesmaids. A reception was later held at Portomaso Suite, Hilton Hotel. The couple spent their honeymoon touring Italy.
Mr PETER ENGLAND and Dr KATHLEEN GRIMA
The marriage took place on Thursday, May 1 at St Joseph parish church, Msida, between PETER, son of Mr and Mrs Paul England of Msida, and KATHLEEN, daughter of Mr and Mrs Joseph Grima of Rabat. Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Canon Louis Suban. The ceremony was witnessed by Mrs Antoinette Bonello and Ms Rosanne Grima. Dr Mark Muscat carried out the duties of best man. The bride was attended by her sister Tara. Mr William England and Mr David Grima acted as ushers. A family luncheon was afterwards held at the Barracuda Restaurant, St Julian's.
Mr NEIL PAVIA and Miss CHRISTINE FORMOSA, B.Comm.
The marriage took place on Saturday, April 26, at Our Saviour parish church, Lija, between NEIL, son of Mr and Mrs John Pavia of Attard, and CHRISTINE, daughter of Mr and Mrs Stephen Formosa of Sliema. Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr John Taliana, MSSP. The ceremony was witnessed by the groom's brother, Mr Keith Pavia, and by the bride's uncle, Mr Kevin Urry, CSA, MIM, AMIT, FIA, CPAA. Mr David Bonnici carried out the duties of best man. The bride was attended by her sister, Ms Nadine Formosa, while Ms Michela Urry was flower-girl. Mr Bernard Formosa and Mr David Sant acted as ushers. A reception was later held at Palazzo Parisio, Naxxar. The couple are spending their honeymoon in France, Switzerland and Italy.
Major WOLF-RÜDIGER vom SCHLOß and Ms KATHLEEN CREMONA
The marriage between Major Wolf-Rüdiger vom Schloß, son of the late Mr and Mrs K. vom Schloß and Ms Kathleen Cremona, daughter of Surg/Lt. Col. and Mrs A.G. Cremona, took place on Sunday, April 27, at St John of the Cross parish church, Ta' Xbiex. Mass was concelebrated by Fr Victor Mallia, Fr Charles Carabott and Fr John Sammut. Mr Reinhard Drescher was the witness for the groom, while Mr Maurice Portelli was the witness for the bride. The duties of best man were carried out by the bride's brother, Mr David Cremona. The bride's nieces, Nicola Zammit and Hannah Cremona stood in for her as bridesmaids. A reception was afterwards held at The Blue Elephant Restaurant, Hilton, Portomaso. The couple will be honeymooning on a Mediterranean cruise and will then take up residence in Malta.
Obituary
CALLUS. On May 3, JOSEPHINE, aged 84, of Valletta, passed peacefully away comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her brother Emanuel who lives in Canada, her sister Pauline Mintoff and her sister-in-law Mary Callus, nephews and nieces, many relatives and friends. - R.I.P.
The funeral leaves her residence today at 2 p.m. for St Francis Church, Valletta, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2.30 p.m. followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi, will be appreciated.
DUNBAR VELLA. On May 2, in England, JOE, widower of Odette, passed away. He leaves to mourn his loss his daughters Jennifer Hague, Felicity widow of David Dunnett, and Jackie wife of Michel Micallef, his grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
A Mass for the repose of his soul will be said tomorrow at the Salesian Oratory, Sliema, at 7.30 p.m. May he rest in peace.
ELLUL. On May 2, MARIANNE née Shields, aged 87, widow of Professor Guzè Ellul, passed peacefully away comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her nephews Rev. Dr Victor Shields, MSSP, and William, Dennis, Saviour and Charles Shields and their families, her nieces Sylvia Falzon and her family, Olympia Seaman and her son Robert, Josephine Shields and her family, Connie Mallia and her family, Jessie Testa and her family, as well as Dr and Mrs Anthony Cuschieri and their family and John Ellul and Mariella Vassallo, son and daughter of the late Dr and Mrs Joseph Ellul and their respective families, other relatives and friends. Grateful thanks to the management and staff at Villa Messina for their infinite care and concern.
The funeral leaves Villa Messina today at 2.30 p.m. for Tarxien Cemetery, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 3 p.m. followed by interment. No flowers by request but donations to St Joseph's Institute, Hamrun will be appreciated. Lord, grant her eternal rest.
PREVI. On May 2 at St Luke's Hospital, assisted by the rites of Holy Mother Church, Rev. francis raymond previ, OP, BA, S.Th.L., aged 57, passed away due to injuries sustained following a tragic accident on April 28. He leaves to mourn his loss his brothers Edward and George and their respective wives Gertrude and Rita, his nephews, relatives, Dominican confreres, Dominican Sisters, members of the Neocatechumenal Way and friends. - R.I.P.
The funeral leaves the Dominican Priory, Vittoriosa, tomorrow at 1.45 p.m. for the Church of the Annunciation, where Mass praesente cadavere will be concelebrated at 2 p.m. followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to St Joseph Home, Zabbar, will be appreciated.
SCIBERRAS. On May 2, at St Luke's Hospital, JOSEPH, of Hamrun (ex-headteacher, St Sebastian Primary School), aged 84, went to meet the Risen Lord, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. Throughout his life he enjoyed the affection of his beloved wife Nellie, his children Carmel and his wife Yvonne, Raymond (Fr Conrad MSSP), Maria and Oliver, Rose and Vince, Mark and Miriam, Robert and Patricia, his grandchildren, relatives and friends. - R.I.P.
A Eucharistic celebration will be held at St Mary's parish church, Qrendi, today at 11 a.m., followed by interment at St Leonard's Cemetery, Zurrieq. No flowers by request but donations to the MSSP Missions c/o St Agatha's, Rabat, will be greatly appreciated.
STUBBS. On May 1, in Cheshire, England, PHILIP, passed peacefully away. He leaves to mourn his tragic loss his wife Michelle, his children Natalie and Fraser, his mother Janatha, his sister Joanna and brother Michael, their spouses and members of both families.
Funeral to be arranged in Cheshire. No flowers by request but donations to Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija will be appreciated. Of your charity pray for him.
Requiem Masses
Tomorrow being the sixth month since the death of Dr RENE EMINYAN, the 6.30 p.m. Mass said at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica, Valletta, will be offered for the repose of his soul. A prayer is solicited.
A trigesima die Mass for the repose of the soul of Mgr MAURICE GRECH will be celebrated tomorrow at 6.45 p.m. at the Ursuline Crèche, Karm Galea Street, Sliema. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
In Memoriam
CAUCHI - GEORGE. In loving memory on the first anniversary of his death. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Fondly remembered by his wife Lorraine, sons Reuben and David and all the family, relatives and friends.
FALZON. In fond remembrance of EUGENE, a much loved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, today the second anniversary of his demise. Fondly remembered by his wife Therese, and children Noel, Joseph, Maria, Christopher and Lucia and their families in Malta, Australia and England. Lord, grant him eternal rest.
LAURI - MARY. Cherished memories, on the first anniversary of her happy repose. Greatly missed by her husband Edwin, her children Stephanie and Anton, M'Christine and Alfred, Carmine and Susanna, grandchildren, her brother, sisters, in-laws and relatives.
MICALLEF - SAVIOUR (Sunny). In loving memory of a beloved husband, father and grandfather, tomorrow the first anniversary of his passing away. Fondly remembered by his wife Carmen, his children David and Sue and their respective spouses, his grandchildren Andre, Nicholas and Francesco, his parents John and Adeodata, brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces. A Mass for the repose of his soul will be said tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Cathedral, Mdina. Lord, grant him eternal rest.
MOUSÙ. Everlasting memories of a devoted mother, MARIA ROSARIA, on the 15th anniversary of her meeting the Risen Lord. Good Lord, grant her eternal rest.
NAUDI - CARMEN. Treasured memories of a dearly beloved mother and grandmother on the 14th anniversary of her death. Forever in our thoughts and prayers. Magda, Hector and Josette and their families.
RIZZO. In fondest memory of HUBERT, a beloved husband and father, on the 15th anniversary of his passing away. Lord, grant him eternal rest. Margaret, Michael, Daniela and Joseph, Richard and Carol. Masses said today at St Julian's parish church will be offered for the repose of his soul.
ROSSI - VIOLET. On the second anniversary of your encounter with the Risen Christ.
We remember you with affection,
We ask for your prayers,
Until we meet again in heaven.
Your husband Joseph, your sons, daughter and in-laws: Arthur and Silvia, Robert, Lillian and Anthony, Vincent and Rose, Joe and Carmen, Anthony and Anna, your grandchildren and in-laws: Sandro, Marco and Josette, Daniela, Maria and Beppe, Adriana, Bernadette, Anna Maria, Roberta, Joseph, Francesca, and your great-grandson Luca.
STOPFORD. In loving memory of MEGS on the first anniversary of her death. Much remembered by her many friends in Malta. Lord, grant her eternal rest.
VASSALLO - SALLY. In loving memory of a dear mother and grandmother on the anniversary of her death. Tanya and Herbert, Veronica, Alfred and Henry.
St Therese Of The Child Jesus
(preparation for the arrival of her relics, July 20 to August 7)
Theme: Together with Our Blessed Mother Mary, we answer "YES" to the Holy Spirit. St Therese says: The love of the Holy Spirit sets me on fire. (Poetry 17,2).
Appreciation: Lorenzo Schiavone, MA (Lond), Dip. Educ. (Lond)
by Ms Ileana Curmi
A former pupil and then a colleague of my father's (Dr Giovanni Curmi) at the Lyceum and also a family friend, Lorenzo Schiavone passed away suddenly after the briefest of brief illnesses (as he always wished) at midday on Good Friday, probably the best day of the year to die on, and was laid to rest on Easter Sunday - Resurrection Day - quite fittingly for such a deeply religious man.
Although of humble origin (something he never made a secret of) he was one of the most erudite persons I have known and, after my father's death, he was the one person I turned to whenever I needed any elucidation on some point of Italian language or literature.
Mr Schiavone was the elderly gentleman I wrote about in my article "Three Thoughts" (The Sunday Times, March 3, 1996) who "has a seemingly never-ending supply of recollections of his childhood and of the various experiences he has lived through. I enjoy hearing them not only because they are interesting in themselves but also because they reveal a life that has been lived to the full and remarkably well spent."
Most of the recollections had to do with his native Zejtun. The pretty little girl and the good doctor who were killed during an air raid, the band club where he was secretary and the small church he looked after for some time, come readily to mind (he also played the organ, sometimes even at wedding ceremonies). Then there were the Italian prisoners of war he befriended, some of whom and their families he remained in contact with until the end, even going to see them on his yearly visits to Italy - just as he used to visit our mutual friend Professore Pietro Insana, until the latter's death.
Mr Schiavone met his Italian wife - Dottoressa Bianca Fiorentini - in London, during the 1948 Olympic Games. She too was a scholar and they both carried out a lot of research work at the National Library, both concentrating on what can be described as original subjects that had not been written about before. She concentrated on 19th century Malta - especially Italian exiles and newspapers and he on Italian Knights of St John.
While his book on Grand Master Del Ponte is outstanding, the various articles he published in Italian learned journals on the various commanderies of the Knights in Italy are extremely interesting. Available in offprint form at the National Library, they deserve to be better known and appreciated.
A librarian friend who happens to know that I am writing this, describes Mr Schiavone as an extremely pleasant person and an assiduous researcher.
The numerous former students of Mr Schiavone's at the Lyceum and the University and the many who went to him, or to his wife, for private lessons, remember them both as excellent teachers.
Mr Schiavone remained active to the very end and it was only very recently that he started to agree with me that all stairs (especially the ones at the Bibliotheca) should have sturdy handrails on both sides and going all the way up/down!
I am indeed grateful to Mr Schiavone for his friendship (he must have considered me an extension of my father), for his concern for me when I was ill and for his frequent visits to me in hospital.
Pharmacies Open Today
Malta 9 a.m. to Noon Gozo 7.30 to 11 a.m.
Empire Pharmacy, 77, Old Theatre Street, Valletta;
Johnsons Dispensary, 75, Qormi Road, Marsa;
Spiteri's Pharmacy, 82, Victory Street, Qormi;
St Paul's Pharmacy Brared Street, Birkirkara;
Mayer Pharmacy, 33, Ta' Xbiex Seafront, Msida;
St Julians Pharmacy, 24, G. Borg Olivier Street, St Julian's;
Rudolph Pharmacy, 133, Rudolph Street, Sliema;
M4 Pharmacy, Old Railway Road, Attard;
Rotunda Pharmacy, 7, Eucharistic Congress Road, Mosta;
Karizia Drugstore, 87, George Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha;
Sonren Pharmacy, Zejtun Road, Tarxien;
White Cross Pharmacy, Shop A, Block 1, Fuq San Pawl, Cospicua;
Fgura Pharmacy, St Thomas Road, Fgura;
Green Cross Pharmacy, 31, Gregorio Bonnici Square, Zejtun;
Kristianne Pharmacy, Pietru Pawl Saydon Street, Zurrieq;
De Rohan Pharmacy, 24, St Anthony Street, Zebbug;
St Anthony Pharmacy, 18, Main Street, Rabat;
Batu Pharmacy, 38, Palm Street, Victoria, Gozo;
Lauretana Pharmacy, 36, Mgarr Road, Ghajnsielem.