ILDA EVANS

1933 - 2010

Dec. 30, 1933 ~ Oct. 14, 2010

Ilda passed away on October 14th after a long, courageous battle with Cancer. She was at home surrounded by family. Ilda Barcelos Lima was born in the Azores island of Terceira, Portugal in 1933. She came to America at the age of 14 and settled in Los Banos. She was a wife and homemaker raising four children before embarking on a culinary career. As with everything she did, her cooking skills were amazing and she cooked at Carlos Restaurant for over 20 years. In 1977 Ilda branched out and opened Ilda's Dining in Dos Palos. She gave it a good run and eventually returned to Carlos until she retired. In 1975 Ilda married the love of her life Bill. Together they shared many wonderful years full of love and laughter. They were married for 35 years until Bill's passing only seven months ago that left Ilda absolutely heart broken. Ilda had a keen sense of style. She loved fashion and jewelry and was an accomplished seamstress. Often she would design and redesign clothing with her signature touch. She was self-taught in everything she pursued and in her later years she quilted and made beautiful Santa's and Angels in which many of us will enjoy for years to come. Ilda exuded class and elegance. She was so beautiful both inside and out. She had a wonderful sense of humor but was also no nonesense. If she pointed that crooked finger at you, you know she meant business. She had so many talents, but her love of family is what defined her. Her family being content is what mattered most. She made every occasion special. Always filled with personal touches, lots of laughter and of course a wonderful meal. Sharing a good meal was at her core and as many of you know, you never left her house hungry. Ilda touched the lives of many and words cannot begin to express how deeply she will be missed.

In addition to her beloved Bill, Ilda is preceded in death by her parents, Antonio and Margarida Lima, her brother Antonio Lima and her sister Palmira Lopes. She is survived by her daughters Adele and husband Dennis Buie of Los Banos, Dilia and husband Richard Schulz of Santa Cruz; sons Daryl and wife Cindy Soares of Bear River, Utah and John Soares of Los Banos. Her sister Mary Lopes and brother Jose Lima of Terceira, Azores. 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

A Visitation will be held October 25th at 5pm. Rosary will follow at 7pm, Whitehurst Funeral Chapel. Mass will be October 26th at 10am. St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Burial will follow at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the greatest way to honor Ilda's memory is to enjoy a good meal with loved ones.