Maria Felicidade Fonseca

Maria Felicidade Fonseca passed away peacefully at her home on August 27, 2022 with her cousin and godchild, Greta Dias, and a caregiver Siu by her side. Maria was born November 17, 1934, the only child of Jose DeSousa Vieira and Maria Herminia de Oliveira in Calrinhas, Sao Jorge, Acores, Portugal. She finished school at age 12 and at 13 began visiting Mrs. Fonseca's house where she learned how to care for a home and to mend all types of clothing. At age 18 she went to stay at her grandmother Isabel's home in Norte Grande to take advantage of a group from the mainland that were offering instruction on designing and making clothes for men, women, and children. This is where she perfected her craft.

She would take measurements of an individual then cut and make clothes (dresses, skirts, blouses, men's suits, children's clothes). She could look at a dress, design it, and create it from scratch. She became an exceptional seamstress and was the most sought after in her area. She also taught others, and first being one of her best friends, Guilhermina Goulart. Felicidade and her tia Aida were very close and she would help her tia make clothes for her daughters Mary and Greta. Cousins from the U.S. would send them burlap bags of used apparel which Maria and Aida would use to make new clothes.

In October of 1960, she moved to the U.S. with her grandmother Isabel and her uncle Antonio. For 5 years she worked for Mr. and Mrs. Mancebo in Tulare where she took care of their children and learned to cook. Eventually she moved to Alviso in Santa Clara to live with close friends Liduina Aleicho and family. Liduina and her sister Arlete helped Felicidade get a job at Levi Strauss which lasted 6 years. During this time she rented a house in San Jose with her parents and walked to work. It was during one of those walks she was approached by a young lady, Conceicao Machado, becoming fast friends and eventually roommates. She then met her first husband, Joe F. Manteiga, at a festa. In October of 1967, they were married and purchased their home in Santa Clara. They were married until his passing in 1982.

In the mid-1960's she met Mrs. Marie Dias who was instrumental in helping her gain employment at The Emporium (which is now Macy's) as a clothing alterations specialist where she would ultimately become alterations supervisor until her retirement in the late 1980's.

In 1987, she enrolled in adult school to learn to read and write English, which she spoke quite well. The following year she reconnected with her childhood friend, Gaspar Teofilo Fonseca. They fell in love and married in 1988, enjoying cruises and travel. They lived in Santa Clara for 24 years until his death in 2012. She was deeply grieving his loss so her cousin Greta brought Milo, a Bichon Frise mix dog, into her life. Felicidade and Milo shared great affection for one another and he remained loyally at her side until the end.

In late 2016, she moved to Tracy where she enjoyed happy years living next door to Greta and Manuel. Manuel preceded her in death in 2019 and after many health issues Felicidade joined her loved ones in heaven free of pain and sorrow.

Felicidade continued to be a member of many fraternal organizations after her husband's death including the Brotherhood of Saint Anthony Council #1, Portuguese Fraternal Society of America (PFSA), IES Hall of San Jose, IFES Society Mountain View, and SES Santa Clara.

She is survived by her first cousin, godchild, and caregiver Greta Dias of Tracy, Ca; first cousin / godchild Mary Dias (Frank) of Brookings, OR; first cousins Isabel Hagar (Jason) and Christine Pacheco (Robert) of Turlock, CA; cousins Elizabeth Leal of Copperas Cove, TX; Janice Dias of Stockton, CA; Frank W. Dias of Santa Clara CA; Mark Dias (Shilo) of Reno NV; Stepson Sergio Fonseca of Long Beach CA; stepdaughters Amelia Soito, Alvarina Adams, and Zita Cambra from Massachusetts area; cousins Fatima Machado (Leonardo), Bernardette Oliveira (Victor), Aida Matos (George) all of Santa Clara, close friends, and her beloved dog, Milo.

Funeral Services are under the direction of Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary. Visitation will take place September 20, 2022 from 9:30 to 10:30 AM, at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary at 466 N Winchester Blvd Santa Clara. Rosary and funeral mass will immediately follow at Saint Clare's Catholic Church, 725 Washington Street, Santa Clara. Interment will follow at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, 490 Lincoln Street, Santa Clara. Reception following interment will be held at Meridon Hall next to Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary.

The family of Maria Felicidade wishes to thank everyone for condolences, phone calls, visits, and flowers. A very special thanks to the pallbearers: Matthew Leal, Zachary Leal, Luis Leal, Candido Cunha, Leonardo Machado, and Frank W. Dias and countless others who have helped with the preparations.

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