Maria Fatima Avila
Obituary
Our precious mother, Maria Fatima Avila, 87, of Watsonville, California, passed away on March 10, 2021. Maria passed peacefully in her home, surrounded by family.
Maria Fatima Avila was born on January 7, 1934 in Beira, Sao Jorge to Manuel and Maria Bettencourt as the third of thirteen children.
On October 31, 1954 she wed Francisco Avila and would go on to have three daughters. The family lived in Beira, Sao Jorge until 1966 when they immigrated to California to be with other family members who had made the journey before them. After residing in Turlock for a short time, the family settled in Watsonville, where they made their home.
Maria was deeply devoted to her family, her Catholic faith and the local Portuguese community. Maria was an avid gardener and could often be found outside tending to her garden. She never wanted to be the center of attention but was the center of our world. The hole left by her absence will be impossible to fill.
Maria was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Francisco Avila, her grandson David Oliveira, her parents Manuel and Maria Bettencourt, her brothers Virginio and Jose, and her sisters Ana and Teresa. Maria is survived by her three loving daughters, Bernadette Barros of Watsonville, Mary Oliveira of Turlock, and Jessie Avila of Watsonville; six grandchildren Steven, Nelson, Regina, Emmanuel, Stacy, and Michael; and six great-grandchildren Logan, Charlotte, Marli, Gavin, Paloma, and Emily. She also leaves behind four brothers: Jorge, Francisco, Manuel, and Gino Bettencourt; and four sisters: Lourdes Avelar, Bernadette Avila, Lucia Machado, and Jacinta Fagundes, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, March 24 from 6:00-7:00pm followed by the recitation of the Catholic Rosary at Mehl's Colonial Chapel in Watsonville. A Catholic funeral will be held on Thursday, March 25 at 10:00am at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Watsonville with burial to follow at Valley Catholic Cemetery.
Published in The Pajaronian · March 19, 2021