Mother - Grandma- Friend

Born: (905) 818-5233
Died: 03/07/2026
Interred: Gate of Heaven, Burlington

Maria was born and raised in São Miguel, Portugal. At the age of 22, she married her beloved husband, João, and together they were blessed with seven children. Sadly, Maria was widowed at the young age of 41.
In 1981, Maria made the courageous decision to move to Canada with four of her children, leaving behind 2 of her oldest in Portugal. Her oldest son, Manuel, sponsored them and helped bring the family together in their new life.
Maria was a hardworking and devoted mother. She worked on a potato farm and later for a cleaning service to support her family. Her youngest child, only 11 at the time, attended school while her three other sons worked full-time jobs to help the family.
Maria quickly became very active in the Portuguese parish, where she built many friendships. Making friends came naturally to her because of her warm and joyful personality.
After all her children were married, Maria lived independently until the age of 83, when she moved in with her youngest daughter, Maria. At the age of 85, Maria developed dementia, and by the age of 89 she was placed in a nursing home where she continued to be cared for with love.
Maria had a true love for gardening and was known to have a green thumb. She enjoyed her daily walks of 5 to 7 kilometers and loved spending time with her friends, especially the widows from the Portuguese parish. Many times people would be looking for her, only to find her happily dancing and singing in her backyard.
Maria leaves behind a beautiful legacy: 27 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She is now reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, her two sons, and her precious grandson, Steven.
Maria will always be remembered for her laughter, her dancing, and her singing — a joyful spirit who brought light and happiness to everyone around her.
Her love, strength, and joyful spirit will live on in all of us.