Maria was born on April 10, 1927 in Ourondo, Beira Baixa Portugal to parents Alexandrinho Carvalheiro and Prazers Delgado. She was the eldest of 8 siblings, of which 2 of her brothers passed away at a very young age. She is predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Antonio (2005), sons Jose (2015) and Carlos (2019) and her sister Gonzaiga (2015).  She is survived by her sisters Olivia, Herminia, Virginia and brother Antonio (Maria Jose) as well as daughters-in-law Jeane and Carmen. She had 3 loving grandchildren whom she adored with her entire heart, Philip (Mishelle), Kristina (Ricardo) and Steve (Blair). She was blessed to see great-grandchildren; Mateo, Aryana, Cristiano, Nikolas, Matias, Jensen and Alden. She is also survived by many family members and friends.

Maria and Antonio were married in Silvares, Portugal on November 30, 1944. In 1946 Jose was born and in 1949 along came Carlos. In 1956, Maria left Portugal by boat with her 2 sons, as they made their journey to Canada to meet up with Antonio. Maria could not read or write and couldn’t communicate in English. They docked in Halifax with only a sign in her hand with the destination location and address. From Halifax, Maria and her 2 sons caught the train across Canada to their end destination of Osoyoos BC. Her immense strength and faith helped her through the journey.

When she arrived in Osoyoos, Maria and Antonio worked very long days on an orchard to make a living and provide for their sons. After several years of hard work, they were able to buy their very own Orchard. During their time in Osoyoos, they sponsored many family members and friends and assisted with their immigration to Canada. Their house was always filled with people. She enjoyed baking and cooking for family and friends.  Sunday was always a day dedicated to attending mass and gathering with family. The annual grape crushing festivities, where friends and family gathered with an abundance of food, wine, music and dance was another highlight of Maria’s time in Osoyoos. She loved folklore music and loved to dance.

In 1975 they followed their family to Victoria when their first grandson Philip was born and have called Victoria their home ever since. Maria loved to garden. Her place always looked like a “Butchard Gardens” with the yard so pristine and lush, filled with flowers and vegetables and of course fig trees. They loved to share whatever they were able to produce with neighbours, family and friends. Maria was blessed with two more grandchildren Kristina in 1978 and Steve born in 1983, these children were her pride and joy. At the age of 50, Maria learned to crochet and made many beautiful creations for family and friends. Sunday gatherings for lunch at her place was a treat that we all looked forward to. Spending time with her sisters was one of her happiest times, they have such an amazing bond between them it was beautiful to witness that love. Maria and Antonio also Volunteered at Our Lady of Fatima Parish for festivals and so much more. Having this sense of community was so important to both Maria and Tony. They were pillars in the community and instrumental in preserving and instilling our Portuguese traditions in this parish and their family.

Maria was able to live pretty much independently in her own home until the age of 92. The past year she’s alternated living with Carlos and Carmen and Jeane.  Maria has always adored both her daughters-in-law and treated both as her own. Maria passed away in Victoria BC on June 15, 2020 in the loving arms of a few family members.

She was a woman of immense strength and faith and endured more heartache than many. May she rest in peace and now be reunited with her husband and sons and family members and friends that went before her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or to a charity of choice.

Prayers will be offered on Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 6:00pm in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens with immediate family only in attendance.  All others are invited to attend virtually via Zoom by clicking the following link.  Please use your video camera when joining so that family in attendance can see and feel your support.

Link to attend Prayer Service Virtually via Zoom

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 19, 2020 at 10:00am at Our Lady of Fatima Parish with immediate family only in attendance.  All others are invited to watch the service which will be live streamed on the Parish’s Facebook Page via the following link.

Link to Facebook page of Our Lady of Fatima Parish to watch Mass of Christian Burial

Condolences may be offered to the family below

 

  • Karen and Scott Barroca

    Our deepest condolences to the family. May God comfort you each one and carry you through this very difficult time. After reading Maria’s life story, I know that she is leaving behind quite a legacy of love.

  • Elisabeth Klak

    Dear Family,
    Senhora Maria was truly an amazing lady. She blessed so many people with her faith and kindness. I pray that you’ll find comfort in your memories of her. I wish I could have been present to honour her along with you, but I am please to have attended the beautiful service virtually.
    With deepest sympathy, Elisabeth (Rodrigues) Klak & family

  • Lourdes And George Frias

    As nossas sinceras condolências a toda Família em especialmente as irmãs ,irmão , netos e dum mode muito especial as suas duas noras , Jeans e Carmen , que eram como filhas para a Senhora Maria . Que o Senhor a tenha no seu Reino ! Um abraço de amizade para vós todos !

  • Viki Anderson

    Muito amor e condolências à família de Maria neste momento. Minha família sentirá muita falta dela. Que ela descanse no amor de Deus. Much love from the family of Hoot and Glenna Gibson.

  • Rosa (Moniz) Demchuk

    My condolences to all of the family that Dona Maria is leaving behind. She was truly an inspiration to everyone and a loving member of the Our Lady of Fatima Parish. She will truly be missed. Heaven has gained a shining star! May she at peace now that she is reunited with her loving Antonio, and sons Jose and Carlos, as well as her sister, Gonzaga. My love to all.

  • Tony and Lucy

    Our deepest condolences to all, wish we could be with you. Tia and Madrinha Maria will be dearly missed, But we all can take comfort that she is in the arms of Our Lord Jesus. With all our love.
    Albert, Delfina, Tony, Lucy, Amelia, Joe and family

  • Carlos Santos

    Os Meus sentimentos a toda familiar
    Rest in peace s, Maria carvalheira

  • Amadeu Paula Fatima paula

    Our condolences a toda a familia

  • Adelina Ferreira

    Is meus pessames a familia Braz A Senhora Maria era uma pessoa muito querida gostava muito da sua familia e tambem da sua comunidade
    Sinto muito por todo o sofrimento que estao vivendo. Que a serenidade e paz retornen as vidas de cada um de vices
    Adelina Ferreira

  • david jorge carvalheira massa

    Uma bela história! Dava um filme muito bonito.. também sou carvalheira e sou do ourondo!
    Beijinhos e condolências à familia

  • Cathy Martins

    Os nossos sentimentos. À senhora Maria era uma mulher forte cheia de graca é alegria. Sincerest condolences from our família to yours. Our Family was one of the ones sponsored by Sr. Antonio and Will never forget the sacrifícios they made. À nossa familia sempre pensamos de Família e amigos Braz como a nossa família. Descansa em paz Tia Maria. Thinking about all of you during this very difficult time and may you all find Peace and strength in knowing how much Love and Joy she shared with everyone whom knew and loved her. ❤ xoxoxo Beijinhos é abraços.

  • florentino mota

    Os meus sentimentos para toda a familia.

  • Tony e Ilda Furtado eFamilia

    E com o Coracao pesado de perder uma Estrella que brilhava neste Mundo para aFamilia os no’s so sentiments a Estrella esta abilhar no outro

  • Donna and Armando Figueira

    Tia Maria was an amazing woman that we all looked up to and loved dearly. We will miss her hugs but she lives forever in our hearts. We will be joining you for prayers and for the service online. Our deepest sympathy, we love you all so very much. Until we can see you all in person, lots of virtual hugs. Donna and Armando

  • Manuel and Maria Pinto

    Our deepest condolences to all the family

  • Andre & Olinda Ferreira

    Dear Kristina and Family
    Andre and I send our condolences and love to you and all your family. Your grandma was very dear to me. She was always very friendly and we treated each other like family.
    I have already spoken to Madrinha Virginia. Please pass on our deepest sympathy to your mom and the rest of the family!
    May she Rest In Peace! All our love ❤️

  • Lina Furtado

    I am so sorry. I remember those Sunday’s and other holidays and the way she always had the four open and a hug for who ever came through that door and table full of food . We send our condolences to the family and I just can’t believe she is gone

  • Teri De Medeiros

    What a beautiful story of her life. She was a great pioneer to the Portuguese community, she will be missed for sure. My condolences to the family

  • Lucie Jackson and family

    Heaven truly gained a blessed angel! Sending your family our deepest condolences along with our thoughts and prayers

  • Fátima Alexandre

    My deepest condolences to all the family I’m so sorry for your loss I would want to be there for you all but I do understand of restrictions of covid-19 much love to all and prayers for this time of sorrow

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