Maria Vieira

Resided in Santa Clara

Passed away on March 01, 2010 , surrounded by her family. Pre-deceased by her parents and her beloved husband of 49 years, John F. Vieira. Maria leaves behind four sisters and their families in the Azores, her children, all in California : John (Sue) Vieira, Romelda (Leo) Leal, Antonio (Cathy) Vieira, Liliana (Manuel) DeMelo, her grandchildren: Lia (Dante), Christopher, Steven (Sascha), Brian, Christina, Janelle (John), Darin, Daniel and great grand-sons: Jaydon, Kainoa, Logan and Milo , plus many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

Maria was born on January 01, 1924 in Providence , Rhode Island to immigrants Antonio and Maria Rita. Maria was five months old when her parents returned to their homeland, the island of Terceira in the Azores . After their marriage in 1946, John and Maria brought their young family to America and began their life in California in June of 1957. The first five years in California was a series of moves, working on dairy farms, then settling in Santa Clara in 1963. Maria remained in Santa Clara after John passed away in 1995 until last year when she went to live in Fremont with her daughter and son-in-law.

Maria enjoyed traveling to the Azores to visit her family and did so many times, but she was always very proud to say that she was an American. Her Portuguese food and especially her sweet bread was the best to be found! She enjoyed her flower garden, especially the orchids and nothing made her smile like seeing her great grand-sons when they visited with their “Avo”. She was loved and will be truly missed by many.

Rosary, Sunday 3/7/10 at 7pm (visitation 5-9pm) at Lima Family Santa Clara, 466 N. Winchester Blvd. Funeral mass Monday 3/8/10 at 12:30 PM at St. Justin Church, 2655 Homestead Rd. in Santa Clara . Condolences may be offered at www.limafamilysantaclara.com