Isabel Leite, one of the first volunteers with the Ladies of Charity, served the most needy in the community for 70 years. She had been hospitalized for a week and died from complications of a heart condition.

“"Dona Isabel," as she was known to everyone, was 92 years old and had been undergoing heart treatment for some time. Last week she was hospitalized to have a pacemaker implanted, but, with her heart already weakened, she suffered a urinary tract infection and respiratory failure, which ultimately led to the death of the retired woman on the morning of Tuesday, August 10th.

Isabel Leite leaves behind her husband, Milton, 97, to whom she was married for 71 years. She also leaves four children and a nephew who was also considered a son to her. As a child, Dona Isabel met Blessed Father Eustáquio when her mother was in line to receive a blessing. A story she herself told to the whole country on the program “Manhã Viva” on TV Canção Nova (Watch here).

Out of gratitude for the graces received from God, Dona Isabel joined the Ladies of Charity in 1951, right at the beginning of the Movement, which was just starting to take off, continuing the work begun by Father Eustáquio nine years earlier.

Now, in gratitude for her dedicated service to the poor, the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts is hosting the wake for Dona Isabel, which will be held at the Health and Peace Sanctuary. The farewell to her will begin at 10:00 AM this Wednesday (the 11th) and will last until 1:00 PM. The committal service will be held in the church, and immediately afterwards, the cortege will depart for the Bonfim Cemetery, where the body will be buried.

“We are thinking especially of the poorest people who would not be able to say goodbye to their mother and servant. Current circumstances still do not allow for a wake as before, but we can now hold one with the prescribed precautions and social distancing.”, commented the rector of the Sanctuary, Fr. Vinícius Maciel. SSCC.

We are grateful to Dona Isabel and take her example of dedication to those most in need.

THE LADIES OF CHARITY

Conceived by Blessed Father Eustace in the early 1940s in Belo Horizonte, the work of helping the poor has always been a great concern of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts and the entire parish community. Father Eustace always helped those most in need with food, work, paying overdue bills, or with his prayers and spiritual guidance. After his death in 1942, the work continued with the community's volunteers, who would later become the "Ladies of Charity".

Learn more about "The Ladies of Charity"“ clicking here.