Sarita Pereira
After a prolonged illness that accelerated in her last few days, Dr. Sarita Ann Pereira passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 14, 2014, in Boston, surrounded by family. As a deeply religious person, she was blessed by four priests—all of who were friends to her—and who provided the Blessing of the Sick and Last Rites. Sarita is survived by her parents—Bertie and Hazel Pereira; and her siblings—Mark Pereira (Amy), Pramila Charpentier (Dean), and Brian Pereira (Angela). She was favorite auntie to Danielle, Lauren, Nigel, Neil, Natasha, Brynn, Darcy, Natalie and Dash and the godmother to Ashwin.
A memorial is planned for Saturday, January 17, 2014 at 2 PM at the Shrine of St. Anthony (Boston) followed by a reception at 3PM at The Kensington (665 Washington St, Boston). In lieu of flowers, Sarita asked that donations be made to: American Liver Foundation (www.liverfoundation.org/howtohelp) and to the Gift of Life (www.donors1org/about-us/contribute). (Sarita’s family will also hold a private service for her in April around her birthday.)
The family would like to share some highlights of her life at her memorial services. We encourage you to share your memories of your time with Sarita, and what she meant to you in the Guest Book below.
Sarita loved her work, loved her faith, loved her family and lived life to the fullest. As a PhD in molecular biology, she had an illustrious career driven by the desire to help others through her research. Most recently she was the Global Director of Regulatory Affairs at Novartis in Boston, where she leaves several close colleagues. Having worked previously for AstraZeneca, Purdue Pharma, Ikaria, and Magainin Pharmaceuticals, she leaves behind colleagues in Boston, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Sweden and Denmark. We rest assured that her contribution to the field of medicine has and will benefit millions.
Wherever Sarita lived, she sought out friends who became her extended family, and with many of them she traveled to Eastern Europe, Israel, Scandinavia, Mexico, and throughout the U.S. Sarita was overjoyed to have traveled with friends to visit four sacred places: Medjugorje, Lourdes, Guadalupe, and the Holy Land.
We knew Sarita for being intelligent, warm-hearted, quirky, and thoughtful. She was the best gift-giver in our family. We all loved her, and will miss her very much.
Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and support through this difficult time.
The Family of Sarita Pereira
Guestbook Entries
I’m sorry for our loss of Sarita. She was a lot of fun. I got to travel with her to Spain and Scotland. I admired her intelligence, her humor and her deep faith. It was a privilege to know her.
Dear Pereira Family,
Truly, words cannot express my sorrow for your and the world’s loss of such a beautiful young woman.
I recall just a few of blessed days spent with Sarita –
I had the privilege of traveling with her to the Holy Land; it was a wonderful pilgrimage for our group of friends. I will never forget gaining a private showing with Sarita, along with another mutual friend, to the Olive Garden where Christ suffered his Agony: how we three treasured our time of prayer together there in that sacred place and how Sarita’s eyes shined with peace and joy that eve as we prayed by the olive grove in the stead of ‘Peter, James, and John’: how she relished ‘staying awake and keeping watch with Christ… ‘
Then there was our ‘girls weekend’ camping trip when Sarita thought we were to be eaten by roaming bears in the nite that she swore she had heard outside her tent! How we and she laughed at the campfire til tears ran as she recounted ‘the bear visit’ and her attempt to ‘play dead’ in case the bear dared enter her tent!
Finally, Sarita and I shared many rollercoaster rides one fine spring day – riding in the front seats with our hands in the air on all the RC’s Dorney Park had to offer. That is one of my favorite memories of dearest Sarita because for me, it epitomizes her catching joy, zeal for life, undaunted courage in the face of fear, and unquenchable faith in the excitement and sheer goodness of living as given by God in simple pleasures like rollercoasters…
On this Feast of the Holy Family during the Christmas Octave may Our Blessed Mother, St Joseph, and our Lord, who know firsthand the deepest loves and sorrows of death, console your family and all Sarita’s ‘extended family’ at her passing. She is deeply loved and missed!
May Sarita, who loved God and his Mother so much in life, know now firsthand the bliss of heaven in their eternal embrace.
“Eternal rest grant unto her our Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May Sarita, and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in Peace.”
Love and prayers, Debby (Smaldore)
While I knew Sarita only briefly and hadn’t seen her in a few years, I will always remember her deep faith, her smile and her pleasant demeanor. She will be missed. May she rest in peace.
Sari and I were roommates at Sophia College in India which predisposes one to be friends forever (if you have a roomate such as Sari, that is.) We met again in grad school in Pennsylvania and her career path kept her for a while in Philly where we met for weekends of laughter and fun. Sari had taught me to dance in college and was often saddened by my continuing ineptitude in that arena.
As we “grew up” we shared a common faith in Jesus for our salvation and though our faith was flavored by our denominations we were united under One God and Father of us all through One Spirit and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Sari was disciplined in all that she did, which resulted in her doing everything excellently. I should have said it to her a long time ago, so I will now, she left everyone in the dust whenever she took up an endeavor. So when it was just her and I doing something, I was the one left, you know where…
I will miss Sari and am devastated by this, her being taken to her heavenly home, but I am assured she is with the Lord of all who believe in Him, Jesus Christ, and that I will see her again in our eternal dwelling, heaven, where I will finally dance perfectly.
My love to aunty and Uncle, Pramila, Sunil and Pradeep and your families. You will forever have special place in my heart because of Sari.
My heartfelt sympathies to the family. I knew Sarita back when we were in Sophias’ and when she was roommates with friends of mine. I have memories of Sarita and Pramila both as being lovely girls and human beings and knowing Sarita better, I remember her as being so gentle and kind. It is sad to hear of someone so young passing but when I read of her accomplishments in this brief time I feel proud that I knew her at some point in my life. My thoughts and prayers are with the family in this difficult time.
This is very sad. My condolences to Sarita’s loved ones. Sarita was my classmate in Sophia-A very intelligent, helpful, polite and pleasant personality. She will be in my prayers and thoughts.
Sarita and myself were roommates for three years and were best of buddies. Unfortunately we did not meet after we departed from college as we both moved to different parts of the world but finally through Seema managed to contact her through emails and phone calls. Sarita and I shared very precious time together. Sometimes in tears but mostly having fun.Both did life sciences and so she became mentor as she was a year ahead of me. Last when I talked to her she said Prati o wi plan and visit you over Christmas and enjoy our carol singing together. I am totally devastated by this news and I pray that Aunty uncle Pramila and Pradeep get all the strength at this trying time. Will miss you my buddy RIP
Knew Sarita from my Sophia College hostel days where she was my next door neighbour during my first year there. We lost touch after college but I will always remember Sarita’s beautiful eyes and smile and like Seema Freer mentioned … our jive dance teacher. I always thought she was an extremely intelligent person and an absolute genius and am even more impressed to hear about all her accomplishments. Very saddened to hear of her passing but I am sure she is in a better place. Rest in peace Sarita and continue to shine on my friend. Till we meet again.
I remember Sarita from Sophia College Hostel days. We studied in different streams but were inmates of the same hostel –I remember her lovely and intelligent eyes. My prayers for her and her family.
I am so sorry for your loss. Sarita, was such a great person, she will live on in our memories forever.
Shocked to hear of the news of Sarita’s passing. Have lots of memories of fun times shared in Sophia college hostel. Was also surprised to hear that Sarita was in the Boston area not so far from where I currently reside. My prayers and thoughts are with all her family and friends at this time of deep loss. May you rest in peace, Sarita.
Sarita and I were roommates in India in my last year at Sophias. I was so shocked to hear the news, as both of us were planning to meet up either in Dubai or Boston this year. I will always remember her as an extremely intelligent person and an absolute genius. And I was not surprised to hear about all her accomplishments. Very saddened to hear of her passing but I am sure she is in a better place. My prayers and thoughts are with her family at this time of deep loss. May you rest in peace, Sarita.
This is a shocker for sure. I am really sorry for your loss of the lovely Sarita.
I saw Sarita for a period of time when we served together at Mass at St. Anthony’s Shrine on the weekend. I remember her as a very gracious person, respectful and focused.
Sarita spoke of her trip to Ireland last year, how excited she was to go with a friend or two, and then, with excitement, told me how much she enjoyed going there.
I wish you peace in your sure knowledge of her quiet goodness in the world.
Blessings,
-Evelyn
I just heard the sad news about my sweet friend Sarita. I saw her in mid-September and she was so happy and full of optimism. I can’t understand that she is no longer here with us.
Sarita and I first became friends when she lived in New Jersey. She was my neighbor on Cardinal Lane and we became friends soon after we were introduced to each other by our mutual friend Sara. Sarita and I played tennis together, we went on walks together, we met Sara for coffee, drinks, dinner out or game night. My favorite memories are of Sarita’s lovely parties! She was a wonderful hostess and she held many parties at her house for all of her girlfriends. We always had so much fun at Sarita’s parties!
Sarita was a beautiful soul. She was kind, loyal, thoughtful, sweet. She was always busy, living her life to the fullest, never afraid to see new places, meet new people and try new things. I always admired her for her fearlessness.
I know she is in a peaceful place with her beloved Savior, and she is smiling down upon us all. I know she is happy. But I will miss having her here. Thank you, dear Sarita, for your friendship.
Susan
Being shocked and saddened is an understatement learning of my friend Sarita’s passing.
My memories of Sarita are warm and fond, and bring a smile to my face when I recollect them. About 5 years ago, I introduced myself to Sarita when I saw her collecting her mail from the mailbox when she first moved directly across the street from me in Bedminster, NJ. We started talking that evening and right away became friendly neighbors. It was the first of many, many chat sessions to come.
Sarita was thoughtful, big hearted, and generous in spirit. I admired her friendliness, intelligence, patience, humor, openness to try new and adventuresome things, and always being a good sport.
When Sarita moved to a home on another street in the same Bedminster community, it became ‘the place to go’ for our growing social circle of neighbors, because she loved to open her home to her friends, and took such pleasure in cooking meals for us. Many fun and memorable times were spent there.
She was a joyful, lovely human being, and I feel privileged to have known her and to have called her my friend.
Peace to you Sarita, I will miss you.
I am very sorry for your loss. Sarita and I met in Medjugorje the year 2006. She had a beautiful smile and very strong faith in God that set a beautiful example for all who new her. May she rest in peace.
Today I learned about the passing of a beautiful woman, Dr. Sarita Pereria, Sarita and a group from the Philadelphia area along with a young priest Fr. Matt Lamourex had the privilege to be part of a group on piligrimage to Medjugorje..In life we are gifted with many angels who come for a certain purpose and bring with them a peaceful joy and contentment along with a powerful Love for our Lord and Savior in our life that was Sairita. Our prayers and condolences to her family.
Rest Sarita in the arms of your beloved Jesus..
To the family of Sarita:
We were so saddened to learn of the passing of Sarita. We had the great honor of being with Sarita on the pilgrimage to Medjugorje in June of 2006. After the pilgrimage Sarita sent us a beautiful e-mail through which her great faith and caring for others shined through. They were such beautiful words that I continue to share them as I issue e-mail updates of the Medjugorje pilgrimage so that others can experience that special time (over 8 and a half years later). Her words are too lengthy to be included here but I would be happy to send them to whatever e-mail address that you would supply. You can contact me at georgelam2@comcast.net Sarita, and all of you, are in our prayers. She touched so many lives and we are counted in that number. I get the strong sense that her work is not done and that Sarita will continue to touch many lives from heaven.
God bless,
George & Annette Lamoureux
My most sincere condolences. Sarita was a friend and a colleague. I am so sorry for your loss.
Warmest regards
Sep Farah
I am truly shocked and saddened to learn of Sarita’s passing. I knew Sarita from Monsignor Walsh’s Young Adult Prayer Group in Philadelphia. She was a sweet, gentle soul and a true Christian disciple. I offer you my deepest condolences. God Bless. Jim Hoffman
I am so sorry for the family’s loss. I was friends with Sarita from the youth group in Pa. She was a great friend. We are so saddened about the news. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Sarita was one of my favorite clients. It was always fun training her. I am sorry for your loss. I miss her greatly. Her positive attitude always made me feel good about what I do. She was always happy and hardworking when we worked together.
I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Sarita’s passing.
She was a wonderful faith filled person and I will miss her. I will keep her and you in my prayers.
I’d like to share a story of how Sarita and I ended up going to Medjugorje together. We both used to pray at the adoration chapel in Wayne, PA. One day, George Lamoureaux (the father of the priest on our pilgrimage) had prayed a prayer in the adoration chapel that he wanted to give an invitation for this pilgrimage to the next person to leave. I was planning on leaving after one hour, but all of a sudden the thought popped in my head that I should leave at that moment. I thought the Lord must have a special reason to ask me to leave early, so I did. George was waiting there and handed me a book about Medjugorje with the invitation in it. A week later he gave Sarita the book and invitation also. We were both in adoration then and Sarita told me later that she thought it was meant for me. I told her no, it was meant for her, because I had already received one the week before. The Lord had picked Sarita to be my roommate for Medjugorje! We had a blessed and happy time together there. She was a great prayer warrior and I’m sure she will pray for us as much as (or even more than) we ‘ll be praying for her.
For Sarita’s family….
I just learned of her passing a few days ago. I knew her when she lived in Pennsylvania and she would come to Daylesford Abbey in Paoli. My husband and I were blessed to be invited to her home and had dinner with her Mom and Dad. Too young and a great loss. I will pray TO her now – I am certain she is safely in heaven and at peace.