MARIA DAS NEVES SOUSA

March 8, 1932 - Dec. 1, 2010

Maria das Neves Azevedo Sousa, passed peacefully from this life into eternal rest on Wed., Dec. 2, 2010 at her daughter's home in Merced. She was 78.

Maria was born March 8, 1932 in Manadas Sao Jorge, Azores, Portugal to Joaquin and Serafina Azevedo. She immigrated with her family to Dos Palos in 1967. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church of Dos Palos. She was a homemaker. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and spending time with her family. She was the most happiest, however, with knitting needles in her hands. She absolutely loved to knit. Maria was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Jose in 1997, two brothers and two sons, Manuel and John.

She is survived by son, Joe (Inez) Sousa of Dos Palos, CA, daughter, Lucy Sousa of Merced, CA, daughter, Mary Lou (Jorge) Santos of Laton, CA, daughter, Cidalia (John) Santos of Hanford, CA, son, Armando (Melissa) Sousa of Acampo, CA, daughter, Mary (Ken) Elliott of Merced, CA, daughter, Trinda (Joao) Azevedo of Hanford, CA, son, Fred (Manuela) Sousa of Dos Palos, CA, daughter, Carmen (Joseph) Leonardo of Los Banos, CA, daughter in law, Carmen Sousa, of Dos Palos, CA, daughter in law, Idalina Sousa of Idaho, brother, Jose (Maria) Fraga of Dos Palos, CA, 22 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and other relatives and many friends.Visitation will be held at Whitehurst Funeral Chapel on Thursday, Dec. 9th from 5-7 PM followed with the Holy Rosary at 7pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Dec. 10th at 11am at Sacred Heart Church of Dos Palos. Burial will follow in the Dos Palos District Cemetery.

Services are entrusted to Whitehurst Funeral Chapel Dos Palos.