LONDON
A Goan who is a certified piano teacher, and a retired banker was recently presented with a prestigious award, and it had nothing to do with either of these two areas of her activity.
Elizabeth Azavedo-Törnquist (70) was awarded as one of the best assistant real estate agents in Sweden for 2024.
What is also remarkable is the fact that Elizabeth edged past candidates in their 20s and 40s to receive the award in recognition of her services in the real estate industry.
Elizabeth was presented with the award by Hemnet, Sweden's most popular housing portal, at an event on March 27.
“The jury from different areas across Sweden nominated three persons in every category, and I was one of the nominees in my category,” said Elizabeth.
ROOTS IN GOA
Born in Piedade-Divar, Elizabeth has an elder brother, Edward, who lives in Sweden, and a younger sister, Edna, who lives in Canada.
“Both my brother and sister are doctors, and while Edward is specialised in Mammography, Edna is a general practitioner with a private practice in Canada,” said Elizabeth.
She lived in Panaji-Goa and her late parents, Joseph and Donatina Azavedo, owned and ran the Cappuccina Restaurant till 1980.
“I studied in People’s High School, Panaji, and at Dhempe College of Arts and Science in Miramar. I would help my parents at the restaurant during my college days.”
Elizabeth also studied music at the same time as her other education, through the Academia de Musica, Panaji (now Kala Academy).
She also completed her post-graduation studies through the University of Bombay, before beginning work at the State Bank of India (SBI) in Panaji.
“I was very active in singing and piano at several music concerts in Goa, both in choirs and solo performances. We performed and produced a lot of shows in Goa,” said Elizabeth.
“I did my Licentiate of Trinity College of Music, London (LTCL) in piano and Associate of Trinity College of Music, London (ATCL) in solo singing through my music teacher Mercedes Lobo. I was a teacher for a number of students in piano at the same time as I worked for the SBI in Panaji. I even won a prize at the Goa Sonata festival for piano.”
MOVING TO SWEDEN
Having worked for 10 years at the SBI, Elizabeth went to Sweden in 1988 to meet her brother.
“I happened to meet Klas Törnquist the same year. We got married in 1989 and we have been blessed with a daughter, Ingrid Törnquist. Ingrid is now married with 3 children and lives in Eskilstuna. I too live in Eskilstuna since 1989.
Given her experience in banking, Elizabeth pursued the same profession in Sweden.
“I was determined to succeed in Sweden. Since language is the first barrier in Sweden, given that everything is in Swedish, I learnt Swedish language within 2 months of my arrival in Sweden. I then got a job at the Nordea bank in 1989 (it was previously called PK Banken),” said Elizabeth.
“I was well accepted in my community as if I was born here. I have a lot of good friends too.”
Elizabeth worked in different positions at Nordea bank in Eskilstuna.
“I was a personal advisor for a lot of clients. After 27 years of service at Nordea bank, I retired in 2015 and received a token of appreciation for my service to Nordea bank,” said Elizabeth.
During this time, Elizabeth was active in local choirs for many years.
“However, I had to leave the choirs as it became difficult to manage with work, home and other activities,” she added.
SHIFT TO REAL ESTATE
Following her retirement at Nordea bank, Elizabeth chose to take on new challenges and in 2017, began work as a real estate assistant at Eskils fastighetsförmedling.
“This company has been topping all the results in Eskilstuna as our three real estate agents are very good at their jobs,” said Elizabeth.
Elizabeth said it was a privilege to have been appreciated and awarded for her work.
“My bank background and experience help a lot and is an asset in my daily work. I have always been hard-working, meticulous, and love to work with customers/clients,” said Elizabeth.
“My motto is that one learns new things every day in our lives, and with an open mind, you can achieve a lot. I try to balance my work with a lot of activities. I am frequent visitor at the local gym, do a lot of walking, and training at home as well.”
“Sadly, my husband Klas died in 2022, and it has been a terrible loss and emptiness since then, which I try to fill with my work and spend a lot of my time during the weekends with my grandkids.”
