Obituary for Cintra A.V. Marajh (Sinanan)
Cintra Marajh
December 11, 1948 - April 24, 2020
Anyone that knew Cintra described her as the kindest, sweetest and most gentle person they ever had the privilege of knowing. It is with broken hearts we announce the passing of Cintra Marajh on Friday, April 24, 2020.
Cintra was born in San Fernando, Trinidad and grew up in her family home. After graduating from Naparima Girls High School she worked at Scotiabank (TT) before emigrating to Edmonton, Canada in April 1970. She quickly adjusted to a new culture and way of life, never forgetting her Caribbean and East Indian heritage. There were some mistakes along the way, like when house sitting soon after she came to Edmonton, she painstakingly scrubbed the inside of the homeowner’s teapot removing all of the tea stains they had cultivated over the years! Fortunately they laughingly understood and accepted that culture change was at fault. She married Bob Marajh in 1973 and soon moved to Calgary where she raised her family. Cintra worked for many years in the banking field before switching to administrative work at Mount Royal College, retiring in 2010.
Cintra was the core of her family; a devoted wife and a truly loving mother who dedicated her life to ensuring that her family was healthy, happy, and most of all loved. She was happiest when together with her family and close friends: laughing with her sisters, singing whenever the opportunity arose adding her alto voice, giggling with her daughters and spoiling her grandsons. So gentle and soft spoken, she could get out of anything, even stealing the neighbour’s mangoes with her brothers in Trinidad who would then run away and leave her to face the consequences.
Always the peacemaker in the family, Cintra provided a shoulder or ear to anyone who needed it and always presented a softer, gentler response to difficult situations. She was a genuine example of the strong values she instilled in her daughters; love, kindness, patience, the importance of family, and respect for others.
Although quiet and gentle, she could be a strong Mama Bear too; stubbornly sticking to her guns once she made up her mind on something, or clearly expressing her disapproval if you swore or told dirty jokes. Even if she was angry, she never said “I told you so”, she would give you “the look” and then continue to spoil you with your favourite food. She was prone to forgetting from an early age and her siblings frequently said jokingly “she would forget her head if she could!” It was common for her to name all of her sisters (and a few cousins) before landing on the correct name of the daughter that she was addressing. We waited and laughed, knowing she would eventually get there.
Cintra was a master cook and baker and we couldn’t wait for the wonderful goodies she created, including her famous Kurma. She enjoyed hosting family dinners and always made sure we were stuffed full of delicious foods and that there was plenty of leftovers. We lovingly referred to family Sunday dinners as “Free Food Sundays”, as we often took home containers with enough dinner for the week. She was quite skilled at crocheting and sewing; anyone who was lucky enough to receive a blanket, quillow or pair of giant oversized booties valued how much love and thoughtfulness she put into personalizing her gifts.
Cintra is survived by her husband, Bob; her daughters, Shanna (Brian) and Tamara (Shayne); her grandsons, Keiran and Ethan (father Alan) and her siblings, Karl (Shanti), Vilma (Kelvin), twin sister Carol, Steve (Martha), Joan, and Camille (Christian). Cintra was loved by all her nieces and nephews, her extended family, her Caribbean family and her many, many friends.
Prayers will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 for immediate family. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date when family and friends can be together, hug and share fond memories of this amazing woman. We will love and remember her forever.
If friends wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cintra’s memory to Heart and Stroke Foundation where Cintra and Bob have volunteered.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Cintra, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
December 11, 1948 - April 24, 2020
Anyone that knew Cintra described her as the kindest, sweetest and most gentle person they ever had the privilege of knowing. It is with broken hearts we announce the passing of Cintra Marajh on Friday, April 24, 2020.
Cintra was born in San Fernando, Trinidad and grew up in her family home. After graduating from Naparima Girls High School she worked at Scotiabank (TT) before emigrating to Edmonton, Canada in April 1970. She quickly adjusted to a new culture and way of life, never forgetting her Caribbean and East Indian heritage. There were some mistakes along the way, like when house sitting soon after she came to Edmonton, she painstakingly scrubbed the inside of the homeowner’s teapot removing all of the tea stains they had cultivated over the years! Fortunately they laughingly understood and accepted that culture change was at fault. She married Bob Marajh in 1973 and soon moved to Calgary where she raised her family. Cintra worked for many years in the banking field before switching to administrative work at Mount Royal College, retiring in 2010.
Cintra was the core of her family; a devoted wife and a truly loving mother who dedicated her life to ensuring that her family was healthy, happy, and most of all loved. She was happiest when together with her family and close friends: laughing with her sisters, singing whenever the opportunity arose adding her alto voice, giggling with her daughters and spoiling her grandsons. So gentle and soft spoken, she could get out of anything, even stealing the neighbour’s mangoes with her brothers in Trinidad who would then run away and leave her to face the consequences.
Always the peacemaker in the family, Cintra provided a shoulder or ear to anyone who needed it and always presented a softer, gentler response to difficult situations. She was a genuine example of the strong values she instilled in her daughters; love, kindness, patience, the importance of family, and respect for others.
Although quiet and gentle, she could be a strong Mama Bear too; stubbornly sticking to her guns once she made up her mind on something, or clearly expressing her disapproval if you swore or told dirty jokes. Even if she was angry, she never said “I told you so”, she would give you “the look” and then continue to spoil you with your favourite food. She was prone to forgetting from an early age and her siblings frequently said jokingly “she would forget her head if she could!” It was common for her to name all of her sisters (and a few cousins) before landing on the correct name of the daughter that she was addressing. We waited and laughed, knowing she would eventually get there.
Cintra was a master cook and baker and we couldn’t wait for the wonderful goodies she created, including her famous Kurma. She enjoyed hosting family dinners and always made sure we were stuffed full of delicious foods and that there was plenty of leftovers. We lovingly referred to family Sunday dinners as “Free Food Sundays”, as we often took home containers with enough dinner for the week. She was quite skilled at crocheting and sewing; anyone who was lucky enough to receive a blanket, quillow or pair of giant oversized booties valued how much love and thoughtfulness she put into personalizing her gifts.
Cintra is survived by her husband, Bob; her daughters, Shanna (Brian) and Tamara (Shayne); her grandsons, Keiran and Ethan (father Alan) and her siblings, Karl (Shanti), Vilma (Kelvin), twin sister Carol, Steve (Martha), Joan, and Camille (Christian). Cintra was loved by all her nieces and nephews, her extended family, her Caribbean family and her many, many friends.
Prayers will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 for immediate family. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date when family and friends can be together, hug and share fond memories of this amazing woman. We will love and remember her forever.
If friends wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cintra’s memory to Heart and Stroke Foundation where Cintra and Bob have volunteered.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Cintra, please visit www.choicememorial.com.