Maria Jose Castanho

Our beloved mother, Maria Jose (Coelho) Castanho of Rocky Hill, CT, passed away peacefully on Dec 1st at the age of 87, with her 3 sons, and other family members at her side. She is reunited with her husband Cesar who passed away in 2013, her daughter Nelinha who passed away at the age of 3, and her daughter-in-law Jill (Lampson) Castanho who passed away in 2004. She was born on the island of Santa Maria, Azores, Portugal, along with 13 brothers and sisters, and immigrated to the USA in December 1967 with her husband and young family to pursue the American dream. The family settled in the south end of Hartford during a very snowy winter which was very new to them. She worked for many years at Hartford Hospital in food service and brought joy to the many that interacted with her.

Maria was a woman of tremendous faith in Jesus, and her primary focus was her family, as she helped raise the 9 grandchildren that brought her immense happiness. She was married at the age of 21 to Cesar for 57 years, which most of the time was spent laughing together. She also spent time tending to all her plants and the vast array of flowers. Her other hobbies were cooking (ensuring that everyone that came to the house was well fed) and baking Portuguese Rice Pudding & various cookies. Maria also enjoyed being a seamstress (much like her very talented late sister that passed, Maria Conceicao Carvalho) to ensure that all her family members clothing were tailored properly. Additionally, she made a variety of knit blankets, hats, scarfs, etc… We all have these mementos that will keep her memory alive.

She is survived by her son Carl and his children Matthew (wife Danna and baby Luca), Olivia (fiancé Chris Minor), and Michael; son Paul and wife Anne-Marie and their children Christopher (fiancé Travis Kendrick), Alexander, and Nicholas; son Lou and wife Alicia and their children Christian, Daniella and Luke.

Her siblings that also survive her, are Tiago Coelho from Wethersfield, George Coelho from Florida, and Olivia Monteiro from Canada along with numerous in- laws, nieces, nephews, as well as extended Castanho and Coelho family.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Jefferson House who provided wonderful care and a loving environment to Maria and her family, in her final days. Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours for a Celebration of her life at D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd, Wethersfield, CT on Thursday 12/8 from 4-7pm, as well as Friday 12/9 from 9:30-10:30 am. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St Josephine Bakhita Parish (St James Church), 767 Elm St, Rocky Hill, CT at 11am. In lieu of flowers / Memorial donations may be made to St Jude’s Hospital - www.stjude.org For directions or online tributes, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com