Bernardete Conceição Oliveira

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Bernardete Conceição Oliveira, also affectionately known as Connie, Bernie, and Babette.

Bernardete was a caring and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, godmother, and friend. She was called home to rest in eternal peace April 1st at approximately 6:14pm.

Bernardete was the seventh of ten children born to Francisco Vieira da Silva and Maria da Conceição da Silva on January 18, 1950, in Ribeira d’ Areia, São Jorge, Açores. She immigrated with her father, Francisco da Silva, and sister, Aida Matos, to Half Moon Bay, California on January 1, 1968, where she began working in a floral nursery. She returned to São Jorge, Açores to marry the love of her life, Victor José de Oliveira on May 13, 1973. They started their lives together in Half Moon Bay, CA and soon welcomed their only child, Glenn Silva de Oliveira.

Shortly after starting her family, they moved to Santa Clara, CA in 1978 where she resided for the remainder of her life. In Santa Clara, she began her career on the assembly line at Hewlett-Packard. After about 20 years at Hewlett-Packard, she left to become a nanny which was her favorite job of all. Many families benefitted from her compassion and generosity of heart. Bernardete’s life was a testament to her resilience and her love for her family and friends.

Bernardete was a devout Catholic and very proud of her Portuguese cultural heritage. She was a member of Our Lady of Fátima Portuguese organization in Santa Clara and Aliança Jorgense, a Holy Spirit organization in San Jose. She would spend many summers volunteering at festivals in honor of her favorite saints in São Jorge, Açores, with daily visits to her favorite church of all Nossa Senhora de Fátima located in the fajã da Ribeira d’ Areia.

Bernardete is preceded in death by both of her parents, and four of her siblings Aida da Silva, Francisco Jose da Silva, Aira da Silva, and Albertina Silva Dias. Bernardete is survived by her husband Victor, son Glenn, daughter in law Betty, granddaughters, Catiana, Viviana, and Natasha, and sisters Maria da Silva, Clotilde Brasil, Zita Silveira, Aida Matos, and Fátima Machado and many other family members and friends.

We were blessed to have Bernardete's immeasurable warmth, kind nature, and loving personality as part of our lives over the years. She will be dearly missed but her presence undoubtedly will forever remain in our hearts.

All services will occur on April 16, 2025. A visitation for Bernardete will be held from 10:00 a.m to 11:00 a.m. at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 North Winchester Boulevard, Santa Clara, Ca 95050, followed by recitation of the rosary and prayers from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Burial will occur at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, 490 Lincoln Street, Santa Clara, Ca at 12:30 p.m. Celebration of life reception will occur at 1:30 p.m. at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary.

In lieu of donations, Bernardete would want you to spend time with your loved ones, laughing and enjoying being together.