Sister Amalia, “Mother Teresa of Meghalaya” passes away

Sister (Dr) Amalia Pereda Ortiz de Zarate, popularly known as Dr Amelia or ‘Mother Teresa of Meghalaya‘ , of the Missionaries of Christ Jesus, expired on Monday morning, February 13, 2012, in Shillong. Her mortal leftovers were laid to rest on the February 14 at the Laitumkhrah Catholic Cemetery followed by a Holy gathering at 2 pm at Nirmali-Red hill Road, Laitumkhrah,  Shillong.

She was born on 31 august, 1927 and later joined in 1946 joined the missionaries of Christ Jesus. After completing her religious and academic studies in Spain, she came to India on 1 April, 1961.

.She completed her degree in medicine and surgery from the University of Valencia in Spain. She was one of the ground-breaking sisters who started Nazareth Hospital in Shillong, where she served as the Superintendent and surgeon.

Sister Amalia, a couple of years ago, went through spine surgery, and was suffering with problems in knee. Her unfit physical health although retarded her actions but could not stop her from working and serving the sick and needy. In the first week of January she was affected by pneumonia, which confined her to bed, where she  expired calmly on Monday morning.