Maria Lucia Mafra Dutra

Maria Lucia Mafra Dutra was born on May 7, 1933 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to parents Antonio Carlos de Oliveira Mafra and Licimira Monteiro Machado Mafra. Maria Lucia had three older brothers, Jose Carlos, Roberto, and Luciano.

Maria Lucia was a gifted ballerina in her youth and an accomplished piano and accordion player. She studied Accounting and married Valdenir Dutra in 1954. Their only child, Lucia Maria was born in 1957.

Maria Lucia worked as a Secretary for many years at the Confederação Brasileira de Vela e Motor, the national governing body for the Olympic sport of sailing in Brazil.

In 1999, after retiring, Maria Lucia left her home country and moved to North Carolina to live close to her daughter, son in law Jim Clontz, and her two grandchildren Gabriela and Alex. Maria Lucia enjoyed spending time with her family. Above all, Maria Lucia was extremely devoted to her daughter whom she loved unconditionally.

Maria Lucia enjoyed rehabilitating plants, giving them a second chance at life. She was also an avid animal-lover especially to her beloved Shih Tzu-Yorkie Mary Anne. She had a big heart, always willing to help others and made a lot of great friends and neighbors throughout her life.

Maria Lucia loved God and always said that Jesus listened to her and helped her along the way. She acknowledged that she was blessed to have had a full and healthy life.

Maria Lucia leaves behind a daughter Lucia Clontz, a granddaughter Gabriela, her husband Ryan Huffman and their son Mason Utah, a grandson Alex Clontz and his fiancée Caroline Goralski, and several nieces and nephews in Brazil whom she loved dearly.

A Liturgy of the Word was held on January 25, 2023 in the Chapel of Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina 27612.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Maria, or a message of condolence for her family, you may do so below, within 'add a memory'.