A Rio carnival muse has died aged 45 after suffering from cervical cancer.
Patricia Costa died at the General Hospital of Nova Iguacu, in the Baixada Fluminense region of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, with her death announced on 4 October.
Patricia was a community muse for the Inocentes de Belford Roxo samba school and had been diagnosed with cervical cancer during a routine examination late last year.
She underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and brachytherapy, but the cancer continued to advance.
The samba school announced her death on social media, saying: “She wore the school’s colours with love and passion, spreading joy, elegance and warmth. She was a fighter who overcame every adversity in life. May God receive her in his arms.”
A message posted on Patricia’s own social media account said: “Today we say goodbye to an incredible woman who left love, joy and light wherever she went. Her story will remain alive in our hearts.”
Patricia also worked as a hair-extension specialist and had more than 140,000 Instagram followers, where she shared her work and her life with the samba school.
She had a long association with Rio carnival and had previously paraded with top-tier samba schools Beija-Flor and Imperatriz Leopoldinense.
During the most recent carnival, Patricia did not appear as a muse but paraded alongside her daughter Lorrany Motta while wearing a shirt identifying her as part of the school’s management team.
Lorrany later wrote online: “I am feeling endless pain, but I cannot be selfish. You were a warrior.”
Fellow samba school Unidos da Ponte, from neighbouring Sao Joao de Meriti, also paid tribute and offered condolences to Patricia’s family, friends and the Inocentes community.
Her wake is due to take place at Belford Roxo Municipal Cemetery on 5 October, with the burial scheduled for 2.30pm.
Inocentes de Belford Roxo was founded in 1993 and represents Belford Roxo in the Baixada Fluminense, reaching the top-tier Special Group of Rio carnival in 2013.
(Harrisons)
