AZZOPARDI. On January 30, MARIA of Ta' Xbiex, widow of Andrew, aged 82, passed peacefully away comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her children Joseph, John and Mary, Mary Anne and Augusto, Margot and Richard Mallia, Adrian and Tanya, her grandchildren Simon and Charlotte, Keith and Marianne, Stephen and Amy, Paul, Christina and Andrew, her great-grandchildren Cameron and Kaithlin, her in-laws, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital on Saturday at 1.30 p.m. for St John of the Cross parish church, Ta' Xbiex, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2 p.m., followed by interment in the family chapel at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi, will be greatly appreciated. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

BONNICI. On January 31, MARY, née Vassallo, widow of Joseph Anthony (ex Cable & Wireless), at the venerable age of 100, passed peacefully away at her residence comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her children Vincent and his wife Marigold, Vera and her husband George Hyzler, Joe and his wife Anne, Annette and her husband John C. Borg, her daughter-in-law Marcelline, widow of Arthur, her 20 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces, her much devoted carer Manuela Mifsud, other relatives and friends. The funeral leaves her residence today at 2 p.m. for Stella Maris parish church, Sliema, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2.30 p.m. followed by interment at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi, will be appreciated. Lord grant her eternal rest.

MALLIA. On January 29, at Casa Serena residence, AGNES, ex-teacher at Birkirkara Primary School, aged 82, passed peacefully away comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her irreparable loss her sister Theresa, widow of Patrick Singer of England, her brother Charles and his wife Florie of Australia, their son and daughters, Guzi, husband of her late sister Pauline, Lina, wife of her late brother John, her dearest nephews Antoine Micallef and his wife Marbeck, Michael Micallef and his wife Jeanette, Raymond and Mario, Isabelle, Carmelo and Leslie, Anna, Louise and Raymond, their wives, other relatives and friends, especially all the staff at Casa Serena. The funeral leaves Casa Serena today at 9 a.m. for St Theresa sanctuary, Birkirkara, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 9.30 a.m. followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. Donations to Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi, will be greatly appreciated. Lord grant her well-deserved eternal rest.

VELLA ORLANDO. On January 31, at St Luke's Hospital, IRIS, aged 81, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her sad loss her brother Edgar, her sisters Josephine Gauci Maistre and her husband Gino, Edith Pace, widow of Lawrence, her many nieces, nephews and friends. The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital tomorrow at 1.30 p.m. for Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery chapel where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2 p.m. followed by interment. No flowers by request but donations to St Patrick's church, Sliema, will be appreciated. May she rest in peace.

Appreciation - Paul Pace

Joseph M. Pirotta writes

Now that the shock of the passing away of my close friend of many decades has given way to an aching numbness, I look back and realise how privileged I was to have been part of his life. Paul invariably won the affection and respect of everyone he came in contact with as was illustrated by the multitude that crowded the parish church of Zejtun to pay their last respects. People from all walks of life mourned his untimely death in acknowledgement that at one time or other they had been touched by his kindness, his deep humanity.

All those of us who knew him experienced a vibrant personality who constantly brought laughter into people's lives, offered hope where there was none, rushed to give help whenever needed. He was a man of strongly held principles who would not budge in the face of wrong yet preferred gentle persuasion rather than head-on confrontation. His career as teacher, education counsellor and, finally, as manager in charge of prevention programmes at Sedqa was a never-ending service cheerfully given in the deep conviction that if we try hard enough we can make a positive difference to other people's lives.

Paul was a man whose world was circumscribed by family and work. His greatest happiness was when he was surrounded by his grandchildren, his greatest delight was listening to their laughter. At work he not only offered dedication and expertise at every stage of his career, but also contributed to creating a healthy atmosphere of unity among his colleagues.

But perhaps what stood out above everything else where Paul was concerned was his humility. Rarely, if ever, have I known a person who expected no recognition for his contribution. I remember his genuine surprise when his colleagues at Sedqa insisted on nominating him for the Worker of the Year award. He was truly a good man.

As I reconcile myself to the reality that we will never again share a meal or an evening, I try to comfort myself by holding on to the memory of a cherished friend whose actions were invariably so based

...in a general honest thought
and common good to all...
that Nature might stand up
and say to all the world
'This was a man!'

Requiem Masses

On the occasion of the trigesima die of the passing away of REMIÌ FARRUGIA, a Mass for the repose of his soul will be celebrated tomorrow at 6.30 p.m. at Ta' l-Ibrag parish church. The attendance of relatives and friends will be greatly appreciated.

In Memoriam

ANASTASI. In loving memory of JOE on the 39th anniversary of his death. Always in our thoughts and prayers. His brother, sisters and family.

BARBARA - ERSILIA. Today being her third anniversary. We remember you with love and prayers and we always treasure your beautiful memories dear mum. Your daughters Marianne, Josephine, Olga and Isabel, their respective husbands and beloved grandchildren.

CAMILLERI - EDWARD H. In loving memory of a dear husband and father, Eddie, today the ninth anniversary of his death. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Lillian, Sandra, Adrian and family.

CASHA. In loving memory of our precious VINCENT PAUL, today the 11th anniversary of his death. Missed and loved by mama and papa, brother Conrad, Anne and Claire, uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives and friends. Now and forever so close to our hearts.

MANGION - EDWARD. Treasured memories of a loving husband and devoted father on the 12th anniversary of his death. Fondly remembered by his wife Josephine, sons Mark, Stephen and Edward and their families. May he rest in peace.

NAUDI - VICTOR. In loving memory of my father on the ninth anniversary of his demise. Fondly remembered by Josette, Joe and family.

VASSALLO GRANT. In loving memory of REUBEN, today the ninth anniversary of his demise. Fondly remembered by his wife Doris, his son Ian and his brothers and sisters. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

ZAMMIT. In loving memory of GLADYS, today the third anniversary of her demise. Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her sons Philip and his wife Carol. George and his wife Maryann, Edward and his wife Helena, her daughter Jofy and her husband Herbert, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

ZAMPA. In loving memory of GODFREY, a beloved husband, father and grandfather, today the fourth anniversary of his death. Always in our hearts. His wife Tessie, his children Josette, Noel and Richard and their respective spouses, his grandchildren, brothers and sisters. A Mass for the repose of his soul will be said today at 8.15 a.m. at Our Lady of Victories church, Valletta. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

Tea tombola

The Mission Fund will be holding a tea tombola at the Pembroke parish hall on February 18 at 3.30 p.m. in aid of Maltese missionaries working in Third World countries.

Tickets can be obtained from the Mission Fund at 72/2, St Joseph Flats, Il-Farinal Street, Mosta by calling 2141 3664 or by contacting Connie Azzopardi at 19, Rudolph Street, Sliema on 2133 1151.

Tickets will also be sold at the door.

Photo competition

The deadline for the 2006/7 Commonwealth Photographic Awards has been extended to April 27 in view of the many requests from people in several countries, the Commonwealth Press Union said. The theme of the competition is Achievement.

The competition is open to residents of any Commonwealth country who are over 18.

Full details can be accessed at www.cpu.org.uk/photoawards/.

St Blaise feast

The feast of St Blaise will be celebrated at the church situated on the Siggiewi - Rabat Road on Sunday at 10 a.m. After the celebration of Holy Mass, there will be the traditional San Blaise blessing of bread and fruit.

The Bermuda trio

Three employees from HSBC Malta - Chris Darmanin, Antoine Demarco and Frances Farrugia - have been seconded to HSBC Bermuda to help implement HSBC's banking systems there.

Band marches

The Sliema Band will be playing band marches along the main streets of Valletta on the occasion of the feast of St Paul Shipwrecked on Wednesday from 7.30 p.m. The march starts from Republic Street, near Freedom Square.

www.sliemabandsacrocuor.com

What's On Today

Exhibitions
At the Contemporary Hall, National Museum of Fine Arts, South Street, Valletta, Pictures In Clay by Antoine Camilleri.
At Heritage Malta's head office, Merchants Street, Valletta, paintings and installations by seven artists.
At the Lobby, National Museum of Archaeology, Republic Street, Valletta, a display of archaeological artefacts donated to Heritage Malta.
At the Manoel Theatre, Valletta, a display of paintings entitled Unity by Claire Sammut.