Maria de Lourdes Amaral Fialho

Maria de Lourdes Amaral Fialho was born on November 29, 1934, in Horta, Faial Island, Azores, Portugal. A longtime resident of San Leandro, CA., Santa Maria, CA., and recently of San Ramon, CA., Maria passed peacefully on Sunday, August 17, 2025, with loving family by her bedside.

Maria pursued her education before commencing her career at a young age at the Grande Armazéns in Horta, Faial. She subsequently opened her own couture atelier, earning a reputation as a highly sought-after dress designer and maker. Her exceptional talent and vision also led to her mentoring many younger women, generously passing on her knowledge of design principles and seamstress skills, and further solidifying her respected professional standing in the Azores Islands.

Maria immigrated to the United States in 1967 with her husband, Telmo, and their young son, Helio, and soon welcomed their second son, Nelson. They settled in San Leandro, CA., where they lived for over 30 years. She continued to work as a seamstress and tailor, holding positions with several fashion retailers in the Bay Area, and ultimately retiring from Nordstrom in San Francisco as a head tailor after a distinguished career.

As a resident of San Leandro, she was an active parishioner of St. Leander Catholic Church for over 25 years, fulfilling roles as a Eucharistic Minister and choir member. She maintained active membership in Council #1 of the Portuguese Society of America (PFSA), formerly UPEC, and held the office of president. Additionally, she was a member of the Luso-American Fraternal Federation, as well as other Portuguese societies.

In 1998, Maria and Telmo moved and settled in Santa Maria on the Central Coast of California, where they lived happily for 25 years. She continued to be an active participant in both the church and Portuguese organizations.

Yearly, she traveled to her beloved Azores, where she and her husband constructed their dream vacation home on the island of Pico. She and Telmo spent several months each year reconnecting with their heritage in their homeland, fostering lasting connections with their roots and creating enduring memories amidst loved ones. She instilled in her children and grandchildren a love for her birthplace and for a close-knit family.

Maria possessed a deep passion for preparing traditional Portuguese cuisine. She cherished the weekly Friday night dinners at home with her children and grandchildren. Her nurturing love was evident in the delicious home-cooked meals and desserts she skillfully prepared for her family. She delighted in passing down her culinary secrets to her grandchildren.

Maria was all about fun! Her love for socializing was evident in her enthusiasm for hosting parties, events, and holiday celebrations at her residences in San Leandro, Santa Maria, and Pico, where guests were always treated to an elaborate spread of her favorite Portuguese delicacies and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

A devout Catholic, her faith never wavered. Her immigrant spirit gave her the courage to face life's challenges. As part of her daily routine, she recited the rosary, and she had a deep devotion to Our Lady of Fatima, which also inspired her pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal. And on her nightly calls with her family, she prayed for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to be enveloped in "saúde, amor, paz, e compreensão."

Maria's enduring legacy will continue to resonate in our hearts through the treasured memories she has left behind; her presence will be deeply missed.

She will be forever remembered by her beloved sons Helio (Therese) Fialho and Nelson (Jodie) Fialho, cherished grandchildren Christina (J.P. Rose) Fialho, Erik (Julie Gamez) Fialho, Jackson Fialho, Bryson Fialho, and Carson Fialho, loving great-grandchildren Alina Gamez Fialho and Nico Gamez Fialho, and youngest brother Armando (Leontina) Amaral. She is also survived by a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins and many friends in the United States and Portugal.

Maria was preceded in death by her soulmate of 67 remarkable years, Telmo Andrade Fialho, parents Evangelino Pereira do Amaral and Maria da Estrela Vieira Amaral, siblings Estela Rodrigues, Bela Avila, Manuel Amaral, Leanor Silveira, and Maria do Carmo Rezendes Montelindo.