Maria Pestana

Maria Pestana, 85, who resided in Sunnyvale, CA during most of her adult life, entered into eternal rest on June 26, 2023 in Livermore, CA. Maria was born on December 19, 1937 to Manuel Araujo and Luzia de Araujo in Santa Cruz, Madeira, Portugal.

Maria was the wife of the late Harold H. Pestana. She is survived by her three children—Harold J. (Valerie) Pestana, Mike (Kimberlee) Pestana, and Kathy (Kent) Buckingham—as well as her five treasured grandchildren: Eric, Fiona, Jessica, Justin, and Michael. Maria’s grandchildren adored their nana, and Nana showered them with so much love.

Maria came to California in 1954 and met her future husband Harold at a New Year’s Eve party, a story she loved to tell. They married in 1958 and began a life together full of love, faith, and happy family memories and traditions. These traditions included cooking favorite Portuguese dishes, carne de spit barbecues, festive holiday gatherings, and serenading friends and family with Portuguese “bailinho” music, singing, and dancing. Maria always provided such joy and energy with her singing and dancing. She was always welcoming and generous to everyone she met.

Maria loved her children with such fervor. One prominent example was her refusal to attend a wedding unless her children were also invited. So strong was her love of family, and family always came first. Maria dearly missed her husband Harold after his passing in 2000, so now she can join him again.

Please join us at Maria’s rosary and funeral on July 12-13 to celebrate her life and share many happy memories.

In lieu of flowers, we would welcome any donations to the Dementia Society of America in Maria’s memory.

Mom, we miss you more than you’ll ever know. Thank God we have such cherished and lasting memories of you. Your love for us was so immense. So happy that you can be with Dad again.