Fernanda Eiras

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother, Fernanda C. Eiras, on Friday December 8, 2023, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Fernanda was born on March 26, 1933 in Ponta do Sol, Madeira Island, Portugal. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years Francisco who passed away in April 2001.
She is survived by 7 children: Mary, Frank, Theresa, George, Ines, Cecilia and Angelo and 16 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. She was the 5th of 9 siblings and all others predeceased her except her sister Odete from Madeira.
Fernanda immigrated to the U.S. in 1970 to join her husband and 2 eldest children and together they raised their family in San Lorenzo, California. She worked at a Floral Nursery, Hunt's Cannery, at her parish rectory and as a caregiver and homemaker.
Fernanda was passionate about her faith, family, her cultural traditions, singing, traveling, baking her speciality "bolo do caco" bread and malassadas, raising orchids, gardening and being fruitful and to multiply no matter what seeds she sowed.
She was a long time member of the Irmandade do Bom Jesus Milagroso do Estado Da California, where she actively participated in cultivating cultural religious traditions, and as a volunteer making bread and singing in their choir. She was also a long time parishioner of Saint John's Catholic Church and volunteered there making Malassadas and shared her orchids.
Fernanda was a bright charismatic light perpetuating smiles and joy to those that welcomed her entertaining personality spontaneity, spirit and songs. She could light up a room with her energy.
The family requests that Fernanda be honored in any of the following ways: Donations to the Diocese of Oakland towards religious vocations via St John's Catholic Church in San Lorenzo, the Irmandade do Bom Jesus Milagroso do Estado Da California, Portuguese or Educational organizations that foster culture, language and offer scholarships, senior centers in California that serve the Portuguese elder communities, Saint Vincent De Paul Charitable contributions towards the needy, Private organizations that offer support to family caregivers and masses for the repose of her soul.
Visitation services for Mrs. Eiras will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 16642 Ashland Avenue, San Lorenzo, CA 94580, from 3:00PM - 5:00PM. Rosary will be at 5:00PM, with Funeral Mass to follow from 6:00PM - 7:00PM.
There will be a brief Visitation on Thursday, December 28, 2023, from 11:00AM - 11:45AM, at Holy Sepulchre - St. Michael chapel, 1051 Harder Road, Hayward, CA 94542. Committal will follow from 12:30PM - 1:00PM at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery - Mausoleum of the Apostles, 26320 Mission Blvd, Hayward, CA 94544.