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Maria Fernandina Sousa de Carvalho, age 79, passed away on Tuesday, May 21 at Doctor’s Hospital in Modesto, after courageously battling four cancers over 29 years. Born in Fajã dos Vimes, São Jorge, Azores Islands, Portugal, she was the eldest daughter of António Jorge and Deolinda Fontes de Sousa. Maria was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Turlock, CA, for almost 50 years. She demonstrated a deep reverence and devotion to Christ in her everyday life, attended Mass regularly and prayed fervently but humbly; most of all, she lived her faith by serving others in her family and community. She visited the sick and elderly and administered the Eucharist for parishioners who could not attend Mass. Maria truly made the world a better place. In addition to her faith and service, she had many interests. She was ever curious, enjoyed traveling and loved to read. She was a dedicated quilter, having made one for each of her nine grandchildren. She made friends wherever she went, and could never pass up a good joke. She loved to laugh. She faced adversity early on with the death of her father at the age of 14. The eldest of 10, she helped care for her younger siblings with patience and love, forging a strong bond that continued throughout their lives. She immigrated to the United States at the age of 20, briefly returning to the Azores in 1967 to marry her husband, Artur, before bringing him to the U.S. shortly thereafter. In 1972, she helped found a successful dairy business that is still in operation today. Even though she was first diagnosed with cancer at the age of 50, her zeal for life remained to the very end. Despite the many treatments that followed, she maintained a positive outlook on life that served to inspire others, often saying, “I will live until I die,” which she did. She lived a full and rich life. She is survived by her husband, Artur; four children, Darlene (Sam), Tony, Alice (Mark), and Elisa (Robert); and nine grandchildren, Caleb, Elijah, Noah, Zachariah; Talissa, Isis, Ronin; Maddie, and Kai. She is also survived by her nine siblings: Armelim (Madalena), José (Conceição), João (Maria), Sebastião (Zulmira), Fr. Manuel, Jorge (Noélia), Filomena (João), Frank (Diane), Isabel. A Rosary and Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Assumption (2602 Walnut Road, Turlock CA, 95380), on Monday, June 3, beginning at 10:30 a.m.; Interment to follow at Turlock Memorial Park (575 N. Soderquist Road, Turlock, CA 95380). In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Spirit of Father Mata at P.O. Box No. 3718, Turlock, CA 95381.

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Maria Fernandina Sousa De Carvalho

September 11, 1944 - May 21, 2024