Maria Ester Pereira

Maria Ester is survived by one sister, Maria Lourdes Brum (née Pinheiro); her 5 children and their spouses, Carlos Pereira, Mary Pereira, Larry & Michelle Pereira, Robert & Wendy Pereira, and Vicky & Scott McCall; her 11 grandchildren and their spouses, who she referred to as her joias, Nichole & Lawrence King, Nathan & Paula Medeiros, Brandon & Amy Pereira, Samantha & Joseph Reyes, Travis Pereira, Kaitlyn & Richard Pappas, Haley Pereira, Danielle Medeiros, Payton McCall, Regan McCall, and Kieran McCall; her 8 great-grand children, Sophie Medeiros, Joey Reyes, Nolan King, Logan Medeiros, Isaiah Reyes, Cyrus King, Violet Pereira, Scarlett Pereira and one great-grand daughter on the way; in addition to many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and godchildren.

Maria Ester was the youngest of 16 children born on November 28, 1933, in Cedros, Faial, Acores, Portugal, to the late Manuel Rodrigues Pinheiro and Maria Silveira Pinheiro. In April 1959, she began her journey to America and set down her roots in Santa Clara, California to raise her family.

She was passionate about many things; teaching, her Portuguese heritage, and volunteering, but the most important role she ever had was being the most unconditionally loving, supportive, and inspiring mother and grandmother.

Maria Ester leaves behind an unbelievable legacy of love and Family. Her strength and resilience to overcome any obstacle she faced will never be matched and has inspired all who have met her and know her story. Although she was afflicted with a life-altering illness, the two things that were never far from her heart or taken from her were the phenomenal love of her family and her unwavering faith in God.

The English language does not have enough words to describe what she accomplished and how much she will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Maria Ester was a lifetime member of Nossa Senhora de Fatima Santa Clara.

“Until we meet again, minhas joias, in my big house in Heaven, here are some million dollar hugs, always and forever… thanks a million.”

- Maria Ester Pereira

Visitation will be held Monday, May 22, 2017 from 5-9 pm at the Willow Glen Funeral Home located at 1039 Lincoln Ave. San Jose, Ca with Rosary beginning at 7pm. Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 10:30am at the Five Wounds Portuguese National Church 1375 E. Santa Clara St. San Jose, Ca. Interment to follow at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery 2655 A Madden Ave. San Jose

Arrangements under the direction of Willow Glen Funeral Home, San Jose, CA.