Maria Batista Mendes

1915 - 2017

Maria Batista (Lavado) Mendes, 102, of Hartford passed away peacefully at home on April 2, 2017. Tia Batista, as she was affectionately known to all, was born in Mira de Aire, Portugal on February 15, 1915, the third of 11 children of Agostinho and Maria Lavado. She came to Hartford from Portugal when she was 43 years old. Together with her husband, Manuel L. Mendes, she raised their son Thomas L. Mendes and lived happily in Hartford for many years. Maria worked for several years in housekeeping at Aetna, and privately for families in the Hartford area, including the family of former Lieutenant Governor Fauliso. She was happiest when she was with her family, be it cooking large meals for them, attending holiday gatherings, birthday parties or family picnics. Tia Batista remained amazingly active well past the age of 100, with an incredible memory for details and a wonderful sense of humor. She loved telling stories about her childhood in Portugal. Besides her husband and son, she was predeceased by several brothers and sisters, and her stepson Orlando Mendes and his wife Maria. She leaves her beloved family: sister Maria Rita Galo; brother Joao Lavado of Brazil; stepson John Mendes and his wife Rosemarie; grandchildren Mark (Tina) Mendes, Michael Mendes, John Mark (Mary Beth) Mendes, Melissa (Joe) Mendes-Hickey, Tammy (Jay) Snyder; her great-grandchildren who loved her dearly, Nicole and Gianna Mendes, Drew and Jillian Mendes, Kevin and Brendan Hickey, Laura and Jenna Snyder; nephew Ezequiel (Vicky) Galo and children Jonathan and Nicholas; nieces Dr. Laurinda Santos and Celmia (John) Vernaglia; and many dear family members and friends in the U.S. and in Portugal. Many thanks to her neighbor Maria Marques for her loving care. Tia Batista will be dearly missed by her loving family. We all feel very fortunate to have enjoyed her very long and healthy life with her. Family and friends may call at Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford, TODAY, (April 5), from 5-7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, (April 6), at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Hartford. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Lady of Fatima Church, 50 Kane Street, Fatima Square, Hartford, CT 06106. Entombment will be in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetary Bloomfield, CT. To leave online condolences, please visit SheehanHilbornBreen.com.