Magdalene Philomene "Phyllis" Francisca Rego

Magdalene Philomene "Phyllis" Francisca Rego, 85. Phyllis was born in Mangalore, India on March 29, 1932 to Thomas and Amy Fernandes and passed away in Visalia, California on December 24, 2017. Phyllis always put family first. She led by example using a combination of education, sound values, an excellent memory and a life-long dedication to prayer. She faced challenges with grace, dignity and admirable resilience. Her perseverance saw the family home built. Life's journey took Phyllis across the globe. From Mangalore where she was born and educated, then to Madras where she worked, to Assam at the foothills of the Himalayas raising 6 children, then on to Kenya for some years, Bangalore for several decades, briefly Singapore and finally Visalia, near the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains where she enjoyed living with Joan and Ralph and their family. Her natural linguistic abilities and social graces enabled many a spirited conversation, now evident from the tributes coming in. Her inherited green thumb and love for nature was evident in every garden where she lived. Her pride was an Orchid collection in Assam that included over five dozen species across a couple of hundred plants, all adventurously curated and each lovingly cared for. Phyllis was also fond of animals, Bengal tigers in the wild and her beloved puppies at home in Bangalore and Visalia. She was a force for good, used her artistic and cooking talents to raise funds for several charities. Through the Lions Club of Narangi in Assam and as President of the St Vincent de Paul Society of the Resurrection Parish in Bangalore she continuously helped the less fortunate. Based out of Visalia, she enjoyed attending the graduations of her grandchildren in Fresno, across the country in Wilmington, DE and up in Abbotsford, BC as well as attending Award and Band concert events. Her retirement years saw a chance for her to indulge in more reading, some cheeky Scrabble playing and a go at the daily Crossword. Our beloved mother is survived by her loving children, Joan Kingsford (Ralph), Anand Rego, Jennifer Rego, Ravi Rego (Roweena), and Georgina Coutinho (Elvitho); grandchildren Olivia, Philip and David Kingsford, Jonathan and Roshan Rego and Elza Coutinho; and her siblings, Patricia Rodricks, Bob Fernandes (Deanne), Rosemary Mathias (Trevor) and Brian Fernandes (Gwen). Phyllis was preceded her in death by her husband Fred Rego and son Vijay Rego. Visitation will be held Friday, January 5th, 2018 starting at 4pm (PST), at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia, California, after which the Rosary will be prayed at 6pm. For those who are unable to attend but still wish to participate, please log onto the webcast from 5-7pm (PST) by visiting www.salseranddillard.com/obituaries/Magdalen-Rego/ and selecting "Photos & Videos". A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 608 N. Church St., Visalia, California, on Saturday, January 6th, 2018 at 11am (PST), with a reception to follow. In lieu of any intended floral tributes, please consider donating to a charity of your choosing, the ASPCA or your local animal shelter (Mum loved animals!) or Family Services of Tulare County, 815 W. Oak St., Visalia CA 93291. A memorial tribute may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com/obituaries/Magdalen-Rego/

Magdalene Philomene "Phyllis" Francisca Rego

March 29, 1932 - December 24, 2017