Obituary of Anny Rita Arputhanathan

To view the recording of Anny's funeral Mass, please click here.

Anny Rita D/O Arputhanathan passed away on October 27, 2024. 

Survived by her husband, Julian Gomez and her daughters, Mariesa Ann George and Deborah Ann George.

Predeceased by her father, Arputhanathan s/o Arokiasamy and mother, Tan Phaik Eng. 

Born and raised in Penang, Malaysia. Anny grew up with her sister and cousins who all lived close by. They spent their childhood exploring their neighbourhood and indulged in delicious peranakan food.

Anny then took her first leap of faith and left Malaysia at the tender age of 19 with only $300 in her pocket to pursue her dreams of travelling the world and joined Singapore Airlines as a flight stewardess. She explored many parts of the world and made many new friends along the way. Anny enjoyed her flying days tremendously and would often share stories about the different cities she had visited. However, Anny had to retire from flying when she had her two daughters, and devoted her life to them. She raised them to be courageous and strong ladies, always encouraging them to chase their dreams. Everything she did was for them. 

While raising two children in Singapore, Anny had managed to complete her education and worked as a pre-school teacher, another life-long passion. She changed the lives of many of the children she has taught through her nurturing and creative personality.

Anny was also a devout Catholic, with her deep faith she served in various churches in Singapore - Novena church, Holy Trinity, St Stephen’s and her parish, Our Lady Queen of Peace. Besides being a working mother, she spent the rest of her time by doing God’s work. She volunteered in major events, was a chief lector and catechist. All this time, Anny lived with a genetic heart condition, which was diagnosed in her 30s. 

For over twenty years, her career progressed working in Singapore General Hospital and Ng Teng Fong Hospital, caring for the experiences of the patients and their loved ones. She touched everyone she met with her smile, kindness, and authenticity; be it at work, in the church community or in social settings.

Anny married Julian on December 8, 2014, and brought him into the Catholic faith. Her devotion to Christ and love for Mother Mary, inspired Julian to also serve the church and the community. 

In 2022, the couple moved to Canada, largely due to her heart condition and to be with her youngest daughter Deborah who was pursuing her studies in Ontario. At age 50, Anny too embarked on further education, in healthcare management in Conestoga College (Doon Campus), and came top in her class. She joined Orthopedic Associates of Kitchener (MSK) in 2023 as a medical administrative assistant for the sport medical program. At 52, she obtained her Canadian driver’s license. It was daunting but she overcame her fears and passed on her second attempt. She bought a pre-owned Honda Civic which she fondly named “Daisy”.

In a new environment, she made many beautiful connections with the people she met, forming firm friendships with wonderful individuals and the church community who became her Canadian family. 

Due to her deteriorating heart condition, she was listed as a candidate for a heart transplant at Peter Munk Cardiac Center in Toronto. On October 25, 2024, she went for a heart transplant. She was called home to be with the Lord on the 27th of October, 2024. 

Her earthly journey was met with many struggles, but evident in what she had accomplished and the impact she had made wherever she went, our Anny showed tremendous strength and resilience, with an unwavering faith. As her friends shared… No matter how hard her day was, Anny always had a smile. She was kind and humble. Loved by all who met her.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Tang, Dr. Ho, and Dr. Pipin (Singapore), Dr. Billia, Dr. Moayedi, Paige and Laura, the team of doctors and nurses at Toronto General, and St. Mary’s Hospital, Kitchener, Ontario (Canada). 

To relatives, friends and colleagues, her church families - thank you for being a part of Anny’s life, and for your outpouring show of love and support. 

God bless. 

Visitation will be held at Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, on Friday, November 1, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with Parish Prayers taking place at 6:00 p.m. The funeral mass, led by Fr. Jamroz, will be celebrated at St. Michael’s Parish, 80 University Ave. W, Waterloo, on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. A reception will follow in the Parish Centre. Cremation will take place at Parkview Cemetery & Crematorium.

Anny's visitation will be livestreamed so that family and friends who cannot attend in person may pay their respects online. A livestream and recording of the service will be available on Anny’s tribute page at www.erbgood.com. 

Condolences for the family may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com. Donations for the family may be made in person at the funeral home.