Maria Pinheiro's Obituary
Maria Benjamim Vieira Pinheiro, 72, passed away June 19th, 2023. She was born in Malanje, Angola, then Portuguese West Africa, to the late mother Júlia Fortunato e Silva, and the late father Francisco Mendonça.
She grew up in an extended family, which included her maternal grandmother, Isabel dos Santos, her young aunt, Luísa Bravo da Rosa, and her five younger siblings Armando (Rómulo), José Luís, Fernando, Carlos Alberto and Odete.
The nickname of Santa (full of virtue) was attributed to her for her sincere and constant smile and her boundless kindness.
She grew up in the cities of Malanje, in the village of Golungo Alto, Ndalatando (ex-Salazar) and Luanda, until she was 20 years old. Then, in the 1970s, already working as a seamstress, she got a job as a secretary in the civil service, in the province of Silva Porto (today Bié).
During her time in Silva Porto, she met her future husband, José, at the time a dental specialist in the Portuguese army. On April 25, 1974, the Carnation Revolution took place in Portugal, requiring the Portuguese military to evacuate immediately.
Angola's transition to independence was marked by civil war. Maria had to flee Silva Porto and embarked for Portugal in 1975. José waited for her at the Lisbon airport. They married a year later and together had a son, Ricardo.
In 1986 they were presented with the opportunity to immigrate to the US. They settled in a Portuguese community in Newark, NJ. Upon retirement they moved near their son Ricardo and spouse Laura, to spend time with their grandchildren, Nolan, Theodore and Celeste.
Maria spent her free time cooking, especially baking, gardening and sewing. Her laugh, smile and hugs will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hearts & Hands food pantry in Huntersville, NC.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm, on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Huntersville Presbyterian Church in Huntersville, NC.
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is assisting the family, online condolences can be made at www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.
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