Maria Delgado Carvalheira Braz

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