Maria Eugenia Santos

On the morning of February 4th, 2024, Maria “Jena” Santos lost her long-fought battle with Alzheimers disease and passed away peacefully at the age of 92.

Maria is survived by her husband Acacio Santos to whom she was married 71 years. Her son John (Darlene) daughter Lina (Leo) grandchildren Melissa (Graham), Deidre, Chris (Shelby)and Brittaney (Neil). Maria also had seven great grandchildren: Olive, Callan, Wally, Emmett, Lily, Rose and Norah.

Maria was born in Lourinha, Portugal to Jacinto and Lourdes Fonseca on October 17, 1931 and was the eldest of seven (Luis, Antonio, Jose, Santa, Fernando and Guida). Maria helped care for her siblings, often sewing their clothes, making their meals and would assist her mother during catering events. It is from her mother Lourdes, that Maria developed her love of cooking, baking and sewing.

In July of 1958, Maria made the long trip to Canada alone with her son John and arrived in Edmonton Alberta, where she joined her husband Acacio, who had previously immigrated to Canada in 1957. This is where she began her next adventure. Maria’s first job in Canada was as a kitchen cook and server for the faculty at the University of Alberta. It was in this job that she befriended the professors and learned to speak English.

Maria and her family, then moved to Saskatoon. Maria was a very talented seamstress and was a tailor at Sears, for many years. During her life in Saskatoon, her home was always full of love, laughter, and family. The decision was made to stay in Canada, and it was at this time that the sponsorship of brothers, sisters and parents was made. All family members lived in her small home in Saskatoon at one time or another, until they had established themselves in Canada. Many weekends were spent camping and fishing in Northern Saskatchewan with large groups of family members. Even when family went their separate ways to other provinces, there was always a large yearly family reunion camping in the northern Saskatchewan.

The decision to move to Winnipeg was made, Maria worked as a seamstress at Tan Jay. Maria was an integral part of the family business (North Star Plating) and spent countless hours helping with deliveries, making sure that everyone was taken care of or just keeping her husband and son company, while working long hours into the night.

Maria’s greatest joy was her grandchildren. She attended all their school functions and extracurricular activities. She loved spending time with them, weekend sleepovers and often took them on vacations, Disney, Hawaii, and Portugal. She was proud of each one of them and their accomplishments in life.

Maria loved to travel and took many trips to different parts of the world. Maria enjoyed the outdoors and loved to be at the family cabin in both Emma Lake, Saskatchewan and then eventually Falcon Lake, Manitoba. Weekends were spent at the lake no matter the season and being the family matriarch, she was often busy in the kitchen making sure everyone was well fed and taken care of.

Maria was a devout Catholic, and attended Mass as frequently as she could. On her first trip back to Portugal from Canada, in 1963, the family decided to make the long journey to Fatima from Lourinha. Most family members rode in the car but Maria, her mother Lourdes, and others, walked the whole 126 Km journey, praying and guided by their faith in God and Our Lady of Fatima.

Maria had many skills and areas of interest, cooking, sewing, crocheting, knitting, reading, and bowling just to name a few and loved sharing her interests with family and friends.

A special thank you goes out to the nurses and HCA staff of 4AB & 3DE of Actionmarguerite, St. Boniface, Personal Care Home, where she lived the last part of her life. Also, a special thank you to the caregivers & companions of Home Instead, especially Shannon who gave Maria much love and companionship during the past two years. Thank you to the staff on the third floor of the Grace Hospital, for their care during her last week of life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Maria’s name to the Alzheimer Society Manitoba.

A Funeral Service for Maria will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Thomson "In the Park" Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd., Winnipeg. To view the service online, select "Join Livestream" below.