Cristina Motta

April 13, 1929 to December 30, 2013

Resident of Santa Clara for 55 years

Cristina Gomes Pequeneza was born on April 13th, 1929. One of twelve children, she was born and raised in Arco da Calheta, on the island of Madeira, Portugal. She immigrated to the United States at the age of 27 and lived with her godparents in Hayward, California. She met and was courted by John Motta of Santa Clara. They were married on June 8th, 1958. The next year their first child Rosemarie was born followed exactly two years later by Judy. Four years later Christine was born. To everyone’s surprise, seven years later she gave birth to twin boys, David and Steven. They remained her pride and joy throughout her life. Once married, Cristina decided to pursue American citizenship. She felt strongly that this was her country now and she wanted to be able to read, to write, to converse and vote for what she believed in. She accomplished it all. What failed her was the ability to drive a car. Our father, her husband John, did try to teach her, but she was just too nervous behind the wheel. Her lack of a driver’s license never stopped her from getting where she wanted to go. She walked, took the bus, or was driven, but she always got herself where she needed to be.

Cristina and John were married for 39 years, until he passed on September 17th, 1997. Together they made five children and from those five they were blessed with seven grandchildren. She loved being surrounded by her family. She loved to sing and to dance. She’d often break out in song when her family gathered. The “Bailinho da Madeira” was her absolute favorite along with Ave Maria. Her illness did not stop her singing, her children were often told by the nurses who tended her how they’d been serenaded the evening before with, “Deixa passar esta linda brincadeira…” She had three absolute loves: the Church, her children and her flowers. Cristina prayed three rosaries daily and went to church almost every day. Her orchids were always stunning. She could make a flower grow and flourish with a thought. It’s a skill only Rosemarie shares with her. With her children, she made certain they grew and flourished as well. She raised them to be humble, never to boast. She believed being boastful just tempted Fate to beat you down until you learned humility again. She used that iron will of hers to rear five children. They felt her pride in so many ways. When they would travel as a family, she would tell everyone, “These are all my children.” She loved the people her children married. Bill, Anibal, Dave, Jennifer and Susan. If she had pride in her children, it paled in comparison to her grandchildren. She loved spending time with them. Jenice, Jason, Evan, Ryan, Megan, Connor and Emily – she loved each of you. Every time another grandchild was born, your grandma would take a good look and decide whether or not you favored her side. Her first question to her children when they’d call was always, “When are you going to bring over my grandchildren?” Cristina is also survived by her brother Manuel, his wife Helia, and their children. Her brother Antonio and his wife Bernardette, and their children. Her brother John and his wife Berta in Madeira, Portugal and their family in Massachusettes. Her sister-in-law Conceicao in Madeira, and Adeline in San Diego, as well as her sisters-in-law Mary Nunes in Santa Clara and Alice Vien in New Bedford, MA and their families as well as her brother-in-law Joe Motta in Santa Clara and countless others in Madeira, Venezuela, and Brazil.

Dementia may have stolen her memories, but nothing could smother the love she felt for her family. Throughout her life she had to be strong. To marry and raise her five children in an adopted country, to learn a new language, to adapt – it all took strength and courage. Her courage and strength were put to the test on October 4th, 2006, at the age of 77, she was hit by a truck while she crossed the street to pray the rosary at the SES hall. She amazed doctors and her family alike by recovering from a torn aorta and multiple fractures. She coded twice in the first 13 hours post-accident, but the doctors at Stanford were able to save her. Unfortunately, due to the loss of oxygen the doctors told her family they didn’t know how or if her brain was compromised. Once she was able to speak again, she told her children the accident had caused blindness in her right eye. Over the next year she learned to walk and was able to by sheer will and determination live on her own again. Her strength was amazing. The family was blessed with another four years during which she bounced back from partial knee replacement and back surgery. For the past two years, Cristina has been a victim of Dementia. This horrible disease steals your memories and your dignity. Her superior strength kept her alive even though this past year she has been bedridden and unable to stand or walk. She was and always will be to her family an ultimate and most courageous survivor. Saying goodbye is the hardest thing for her family. They have been through so much together. Throughout their lives she’s been their rock, the foundation of their family. Now, it’s their turn to be strong, to reach down deep and channel some of her inexhaustible strength and try to claim it for their own. Cristina was loved and will be missed by many, especially her children and grandchildren. They know she’s singing with the angels now. And pray she’s found her peace and strength once again. Family and friends are invited to visit Monday, January 6th from 6 to 9:00 p.m., with a Rosary Vigil at 7:00 p.m. at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 N Winchester Blvd. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, January 7th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Clare Parish, 941 Lexington St. in Santa Clara. Interment will follow in Santa Clara Mission Cemetery.