Cleopatra Lloyd da Silva

Cleopatra (“Cleo”) Lloyd da Silva, 92, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2025. In her final serene moments, Cleo was surrounded by the love of family and friends and was embraced by her daughter Linda and son-in-law Lonnie with whom, she often noted, she had “made her home for over 30 years.” Over nine decades, Cleo’s life would traverse many continents and cultures as she navigated life’s twists and turns with grace, grit, optimism and faith.

Cleo's Life Story

Born on April 10, 1933 in the seaside village of Tangasseri on Kerala’s Malabar Coast, Cleo was the youngest girl of eight children in a close-knit family. Her early life was rich with the traditions of devout faith, a warm and supportive family life, and the charms of a bygone era.

Educated by Carmelite nuns at Mount Carmel Convent through secondary school, Cleo’s taste for adventure and exploration was inspired by her father, Remigius, who brought geography alive through stories of his travels. Her remarkable mental math skills were honed through careful tutoring by her older sister, the Reverend Sr. Bonifacia of the same convent.

After her father’s death at fifteen, Cleo’s personal ‘superpowers’ of resilience and determination began to emerge. She attended secretarial college in Madras, mastering business skills that would serve her for life. In 1966, she emigrated to the United States, beginning a bold new chapter as a single mother, raising her children, Lenny and Linda, in Southern California. Their home – a small apartment in Santa Monica - was always open and a haven to school-age friends, who often came to spend the night and enjoy her famous curries.

Over the next twenty years, Cleo’s professional journey took her from entry-level secretarial posts to senior executive assistant roles. She overcame prejudice and sexism with stoic resolve. Only later did she reveal the obstacles she faced—such as being denied a job because she had outscored her would-be supervisor (a white, college-educated man) on an IBM aptitude test, despite holding only a Secondary School Certificate from Mount Carmel Convent.

She persevered and eventually capped her business career as Executive Secretary to the Head of the International Division at Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO), from which she retired in 1985.

In retirement, Cleo changed countries again, this time, moving to Australia. There she pursued her lifelong dream of higher education, completing in rapid succession Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. degrees in English from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia. Her doctoral thesis, "Self and (M)other in Patrick White’s Fiction," was a groundbreaking work, earning her the University Research Medal, the highest honor awarded. Her thesis has been downloaded nearly 10,000 times to date.

In the early 2000’s Cleo reinvented herself one more time, moving to Luxembourg for five years to help raise her beloved young grandchildren, Lara and Alexander. She was their ever-present master chef, storyteller, comforter, and greatest champion as they grew into young adults.

Throughout her life, Cleo was buoyed by a circle of strong women – both family and friends – who supported her spiritually and practically. She never forgot the generosity and kindness of these kindred souls, and that of the many other friends she held dear.

Cleo profoundly valued open-mindedness and connection. She was fundamentally a ‘people-person,’ caring little for life’s material symbols of success. She made friends of all ages and backgrounds, her warmth, dry wit, and unmistakable dignity shining through—even when dressed in her signature velour jogging suits adorned with a glittering crown and her favorite moniker, “NANA.”

Cleo will be remembered for her unwavering faith and optimism, her radiant smile and sparkling eyes, her love of flowers, and her closet full of red, yellow and orange outfits.

And, despite her impeccable manners, she will also be remembered as a poor loser and an even worse winner when playing Scrabble.

She is predeceased by and will be reunited in heaven with many beloved family members: her husband, Lino Lloyd da Silva; her parents, Remigius and Cyrilla D’Cruz; her siblings, Paschsius, Joseph, Myrtle (aka Rev. Sr. Bonifacia), Gladys (and husband Antony), Paul, Beatrice (and husband William); her niece, Sandra; and her in-law, Gibby.

Cleo is survived and treasured by her children Lenny, and his partner Robin, and Linda, her son-in-law Lonnie, grandchildren Lara and Alexander, her brother and sister-in-law Erasmus and Diana D’Cruz, her sister-in-law Maureen D'Cruz (Paul's wife), and her cousin Egbert Rebeiro and his wife Emilda, nephew-in-law Max Dacio (Sandra's husband), and an extended, multi-generational family of cherished nieces, nephews and in-law relations across the world.

To all who knew her, Cleo was courageous and inspiring, a woman of great intellect, deep faith and transcendent values.

Her light shines on, and she remains with us always.

Rest in Peace, Good and Faithful Servant.

Amen.