Godmother,

This is the first time in my life that you are not in my life and I find that hard to accept. You were the family matriarch - a leader, protector and nurturer of and for your family. You inspired your brothers, sisters and mother to follow you to Canada or the USA. And while looking out for them, you started your very own family. You raised and protected two amazing young women who went on to grow your legacy.

As my Godmother you lead me from the day I was born to be the best person I could be. But to be that person, you had to first protect me from myself. In the short 5 years that you lived in Canada with me, you saved me many times. When I was a baby with a dangerously high fever, you ripped me from my mom’s arms and submerged me in an ice bath because she couldn’t do it. You cried as much as I cried, but it worked. Another time as a young boy I ran out onto a busy street and it was your arm that grabbed mine and pulled me back from being hit by a car.  Not only did you save me from that car, you protected me from my parents as they wanted to beat me. No one could say bad of your godson, ever. You would say he’s not bad, he’s “vivinho” – directly translated meant “lively” – but we all knew it meant I was a brat. But that was you. You were always on my side. (I wonder if you really left for California for your daughters or was it to get away from all the hard work I was?).

As I read the entries here, I see that I’m not the only one you touched. Over the next few days we are going to celebrate your life and not fixate on your death. The family that you left behind are all here doing well because you had a dream to do better and be better. It doesn’t matter if eventually someone else would have done the same, the reality is you did it, first. 

That’s my Godmother – the Leader. 

Thank you Madrinha for everything - but most importantly, for being you.

I love you and miss you.

Your Godson,
Carlos 

Mom, I have always loved and respected you for being a strong and supportive mother and mother-in-law.  You were always there for each and everyone of us with your cooking, your sewing, your gardening and even helping me build numerous back yard sheds.  You were always a determined and confident woman who always made her family the main focus.  Your grandchildren are so proud of you for teaching them so many things.
I am very proud to have helped take care of you for the last 2 1/2 years.  I know it was very hard for you.  I will always remember the talks we had each day at the dinner table while we ate fish and potatoes.-- I knew that was your favorite.  Thank you for teaching me how to make caldo de fajao. I will always love you and miss you.  Gabriel

Avo, 
I will miss you so very much.  I love you.
I will keep your memory alive by making sure the kids never forget who you are.
Your second eldest grandson Jason 

To my beloved Grandma,
I knew this day would come and in a way, your passing was not a shock to me as you had been dealing with health issues for quite some time. And yet, it still hurts. Life as I know it will no longer be the same. You were a significant and vital part of my life. My last living grandparent. You were my “Graham Cracker”. You were resilient, strong, loving, caring, and so much more.  

I am going to miss everything about you. 

I am going to miss your cooking. You loved to cook and were always happy to share your Portuguese recipes. I am going to miss our time spent together at your kitchen table discussing life and enjoying a warm meal.

I am going to miss our conversations and your advice. You were always there for me during my ups and downs.

I am going to miss your goofiness. I loved that we were able to joke around with each other and how you understood my sarcasm. I am going to miss your laugh and your smile.

Most of all, I am going to miss hearing your voice and seeing your face.

You loved all of us so deeply. You passed away surrounded by your loved ones and I know you were happy in your last waking moments. I hope you were able to feel our love all around you because we love you so much. Then, now, and forever.

Rest easy, Graham Cracker. I love you.


To the family of Liduina Garcia Laranjo,
I remember meeting this beautiful lady and her incredible hubby back in the early 70's.
I am a friend of Marias'.  She was kind to me, and had a beautiful and gentle way of accepting me as Marias' friend. Thank you for allowing me to be Marias' friend and letting me come over to your home.
Gods' Blessings to your family,  she will be missed.
With Love, your friend,
Paulette (Wilson) Barton

Dear Grandma,
Words can't express how much I love and miss you.  It's still unreal that you are gone.  I have learned so much from you about gardening, Portuguese food, and life in general.  I will never forget your words of wisdom, and I will forever cherish the times we spent together.  I, also, promise to keep your recipe for Papas de arroz in the family for more generations to come.  I miss you, I love you, and I will see you again.  Xoxo

Tia ,

Thank you for always being yourself and being the strong person you always were. 
It was truly a lesson to see how you always stood by your daughters , grandkids , great grandkids the way you did . They were always your priority and you supported them always no matter what life brought upon them or you . 

That is one lesson I will always remember as I stand by my two daughters no matter what . 

It is really sad to know you are gone ... it feels unreal . 

I will always remember you and your strength and the proudness you had in your family ... you were truly proud of them .. just beautiful. 

You’ll be missed tia . 🌹🌹🌹🌹
May you be at peace tia . ❤️U 
—odilia 

Grandma will definitely be missed but will forever be in my memories. I remember the Summer adventures at grandmas house. I remember making seafood soup and many other dishes and sharing laughs . It was fun when we all went swimming and went on walks catching butterfly’s. I love you grandma and you will always have a place in my heart  ❤️. 

Dearest Mom, 
You  have always been a strong and loving mother to both Maria and I.

When we came to California in 1969, we were all very excited about living in a new country; however, that excitement was soon gone when Dad was taken from the three of us, but that did not keep you down.  Your strength and courage have always amazed me.  You were able to raise two teenage daughters by yourself and still remained a great example for both us. 

Your determination was unwavering. You always made sure we had food on the table, clean clothes to wear, and that we were provided with a good education. The stories that you shared with the family about how you were raised convinced us how lucky we all are. I will always love you for being the caring grandmother who always brought soup, fresh fish, and fava beans to the house for our family to enjoy. I will also remember the joy we shared each time we learned that a new baby was expected in the family. The excitement was very real! I will miss walking into the house and hearing you and Gabriel playfully bickering, as you both watched Dr. Phil.  But most of all, I will remember, helping you with your baths, giving you your daily meds before you went to bed and saying, I Love You, Mom", as you would respond, "I Love You, too". I will miss your nightly pats on the back and warm hugs.   Thank you for allowing me to share these last 2 1/2 years with you.  I am so thankful for your friendship and company and I wouldn't have changed a thing. I Love You and Miss You, Mom! You and Dad will always be in my heart--together at last!


My Dearest Linda, 

Although I knew this time would come, I have yet to accept that you are truly gone. There are no words to fully express the hole that you have left. It is an inevitable certainty that we must all face; but even knowing this, the passing of a loved one will never be easy to endure. 

I reminisce on our Wednesday visits and how much we used to talk. I loved our Wednesdays; we gossiped so much that thinking about it right now brings a smile to my face. I loved learning about your heritage and sharing mine with you. I loved learning about your late husband and how much he loved his girls. I loved hearing about the time you broke the broom on Jason's back or how you would take Kevin to the lake. I loved hearing that you would help Angela translate her letters to Gabriel in Portugal. But most of all, I loved how much you loved talking about your family. Hearing these stories gave me a sense of belonging and acceptance. 

You have left this earth, still I see bits of your soul in this wonderful family that you have created, that I am lucky enough to call my own. I see you in Kevin everyday as he works hard and strives to provide the very best for his family. I see you in Angela and Gabriel as they bring this family together, to instill that family unity that was so close and dear to your heart. 

Even though I will no longer receive your holiday cards through the mail or a phone call for my birthday, I thank you for leaving bits of yourself in this family, my family. We will celebrate you, and we will remember you. And when we do, there will be tears and there will be laughs but it will always be with each other, as a whole; just as I know you would have wanted. 
Thank you for accepting me in your life, your grandson's and your families'. I will forever be grateful to be a part of your legacy.  I promise to take care of them and love them with all my being. 

So rest easy my dearest Linda,  we will take over now and make you proud. 

With Love,
Monica

Mom
You’ve always been a strong woman from day one. It took a lot of strength to come to Canada and start your life there with Dad. 
We came to California and that was another experience but you came for your children
When you lost Dad you continued as a single woman raising me and Angela with no complaints. 
Your grandchildren came and it was like a bouquet of flowers slowly blooming loving them. When the great grandchildren came I can’t even describe the joy you carried in your heart for them
You died in peace wrapped around your family on Portugal’s Mother’s Day. 
You were beautiful inside and out. Always wanting to help
I will definitely miss your phone calls
Love you Mom forever 

OBITUARY

Liduina Garcia Laranjo

July 5, 1934 – May 5, 2019

Willow Glen Funeral Home

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