Maria Vitoria Lopes

Maria Vitoria Bettencourt was born on November 15th, 1930 in Rosais, São Jorge, Azores, the second eldest of eleven children to Jose & Maria Bettencourt.

She married João Silveira Lopes in 1950 in Rosais, São Jorge, and moved to the United States in 1966; where she began a new life with her husband and two young daughters, Maria da Conceição (Connie) and Olga, living and working on a dairy farm in the Almaden Valley of San Jose for several years prior to relocating to Santa Clara in 1972, where she would go on to work for many years at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, helping to build a comfortable life for her family.

Maria was a devout Catholic and dedicated member of his parish, St. Clare’s Church in Santa Clara, as well as long-serving volunteer at several Portuguese community organizations in Northern California (S.E.S. Santa Clara, S.F.V. Lodge Mountain View, I.F.E.S. Mountain View, I.D.E.S. Half Moon Bay, and Alianca Jorgense in San Jose).

She is survived by her two daughters, Connie Amarante (and son-in-law, Lino Amarante) and Olga Hensley (and son-in-law, Tim Hensley); her five grandchildren, Jason Amarante, Crystal Amarante Aggarwal, Taylor Amarante, Travis Hensley, and Jennifer McFarland; and her eight great-grandchildren, Alia Amarante, Cassius Amarante, Simone Amarante, Avery Aggarwal, Shane Aggarwal, Aubrey Hensley, Cooper McFarland, and Austyn McFarland.

A hard-working and dedicated matriarch, Maria was always ready to cook a delicious Portuguese meal, knit a blanket, or lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. She was loved by many in her community, and her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the cherished loves of her life.

Rosary will be held Wednesday, November 30th at 7:00pm at St. Clare’s Church in Santa Clara, CA (725 Washington St, Santa Clara, CA 95050).

Funeral mass will be held Saturday, December 1st at 9:30am at St. Clare's Church 725 Washington Street Santa Clara CA. 95051.

Burial to take place at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery 490 Lincoln St, Santa Clara, CA. 95050. Flowers can be sent to Lima Family Mortuary in Santa Clara 466 N Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara, CA. 95050.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.limafamilysantaclara.com for the Lopes family.