Sister Zena Pereira, DHS
December 23, 1937 – August 21, 2026
Sister Zena Pereira, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit whose long religious life was devoted to education, pastoral ministry and care for others, died on Friday, August 21, 2026, at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham. She was 88.
Born Zena Bernadette Pereira in Bombay, India, on December 23, 1937, she was the daughter of Charles Pereira and Margaret Soeiro.
Her journey in religious life began with the Franciscan Hospitallers of the Immaculate Conception. She professed her first vows with the community on May 13, 1959, taking the religious name Sister Clothilda of Lourdes.
For the next two decades, Sister Zena served in the field of education at various locations in India. Teaching would remain an important part of her ministry as her religious vocation eventually carried her far from her native country.
In 1973, she was missioned to California, where she taught in schools in San Jose and Los Baños. In 1979, she joined the faculty of Our Lady of Grace School in West Sacramento, which was staffed by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit.
Her years working alongside the Daughters led Sister Zena to discern a new chapter in her religious life. In 1981, she began the process of transferring from the Franciscan Hospitallers to the Daughters of the Holy Spirit. Following a period of formation, she professed perpetual vows as a Daughter of the Holy Spirit on April 10, 1983.
Sister Zena continued her ministry as an educator, including service in Moosup, Connecticut, as well as additional teaching assignments in California.
Her ministry later took a new direction as she responded to the spiritual needs of those facing illness and other challenges. In 1997, she received certification as a Catholic chaplain. The following year, she returned to the East Coast and began serving as a pastoral minister at Cromwell Crest Care in Cromwell.
From 2002 until 2008, Sister Zena served as a hospital chaplain at St. Mary Hospital in Waterbury, accompanying patients and their families during some of the most difficult and vulnerable moments of their lives.
Following health issues of her own, Sister Zena was admitted to Holy Spirit Health Care Center in 2014. In 2016, she joined the community at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham, where she remained until her death.
Throughout her life, Sister Zena had a deep love of music. She especially enjoyed sharing that love with others through folk groups and informal gatherings, bringing people together through song and fellowship.
Sister Zena is remembered by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit spiritual family, including her Sisters in community, the Consecrated Seculars and the Associates.
She is also survived by her sister, Phoebe Da Costa of Mumbai, India; three nephews, Keith DaCosta of India and Malcolm DaCosta and Darryl DaCosta and their families of Ontario, Canada; as well as other relatives in Australia, England and India.
Sister Zena was laid to rest at St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam.
Memorial donations may be made to the Daughters of the Holy Spirit Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 497, Putnam, CT 06260.
May Sister Zena rest in the peace of Christ after a lifetime of faithful service to God and to the people entrusted to her care.