Sr. Elvira Mansoor, FMA, age 92, born in Choubrah, Cairo, died peacefully at 12:05 am on November 16, 2016 at the FMA Provincial House in San Antonio, TX.

In her 58 years of religious life Sr. Elvira served as an exemplary Elementary school teacher in Cairo, Alexandria and Heliopolis, Egypt where she taught Arab, French and English. For several years she served at the Ospedale Italiano in Damascus, Syria, which has been in the care of the Salesian Sisters since 1913, in the capacity of Administrator and secretary.

When she transferred to the United States province she was assigned as an elementary school teacher and catechist in Bellflower, CA, and San Marcos, TX. She was also assigned to Corpus Christi School in San Francisco and Salesian Sisters School in Corralitos, CA where she helped with arts & crafts as well as supervision in the playground. She was a great artist who enjoyed and taught painting and sewing. Her students loved her for her visible union with God, her enjoyable storytelling, and looking out for their good.

In June 2008, she was transferred to the FMA Provincial House in San Antonio because of health issues. Sr. Elvira was not only a great artist who enjoyed painting and sewing but was excellent at all kinds of embroidery. Her hands were never idle and continued to create beautiful items till she got very sick. She always looked for ways to share her creations and bring joy to so many people, especially the children and young people. Sr. Elvira had a great sense of humor and loved to make people happy with her jokes and stories. She loved to pray the Rosary to Mary, Help of Christians for her family and all the intentions that had been recommended to her prayers. She would spend hours before the Blessed Sacrament where she obtained the strength and courage to accept her illness and the aging process.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sayed Abdel and Isabella Phares Mansoor: her brothers Emile, Robert, and Alfred; and her sister Matilda Basta. She is survived by four brothers: Alphonse, Michael, Edgar, and Henry; one sister, Mimi Thompson and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and her religious community, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters) and friends.

FUNERAL SERVICES

On Sunday, November 20, Visitation will start at 2:00 p.m. at the FMA Provincial House, 6019 Buena Vista St. in San Antonio, TX. The rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. On Monday, November 21, 2016, the Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the FMA Provincial House. Commitment services and interment will then follow at San Fernando Cemetery II in San Antonio, TX.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Sr. Elvira may be made to the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians to help support young women in formation who are preparing to become Salesian Sisters. Please send offerings to: Formation Program, 6019 Buena Vista Street, San Antonio, TX 78237.

Thank you for your support.