Departures of note

Josabete Maria da Silva, known as Irmã Babate, was a Brazilian educator and politician from Pernambuco. She spent more than three decades as a teacher before entering public life, building a reputation for service to education and social causes in Jaboatão dos Guararapes, in the Recife metropolitan area. She was also the daughter of Pastor José Leoncio and a woman of deep religious faith, active in her church community. She served as a vereadora (city councilor) of Jaboatão before being elected vice-mayor on the ticket of Mayor Mano Medeiros, representing the Liberal Party (PL). She held the vice-mayoral office until her death. Irmã Babate died on October 25, 2026, at the age of 73, after being hospitalized since October 10. She was survived by her husband, José Amaro, five children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, and was mourned by the mayor and the governor of Pernambuco, Raquel Lyra, who praised her legacy in defense of education and social causes.