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MARIA SOUSA Obituary
On the early, fall afternoon of September 26, 2015, Maria Angelina Sousa, age 86, passed into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father peacefully surrounded by her family. Born in Santo Espirito, on the small Portuguese Azorean Island of Santa Maria, Maria was the youngest of four children of Antonio and Maria Chaves.
In 1955, Maria married Antonio Jacinto Sousa and moved to Redlands, California, where together they raised five children. For 46 years, she was a local celebrity with Sousa's Seafood of Redlands, where many community members enjoyed her tasty shrimp and halibut dinners.
When her beloved husband, Antonio, passed away in 1986, Maria dedicated her life to cherishing and adoring her grandchildren, who would always aid in the baking of her cookies and Portuguese 'Biscoitos'. Her family and friends saw "Mama Sousa", as an "Angel on Earth", kind, sweet, always with a contagious smile on her face. Always seen with nothing but love in her heart and a compassion to help cheer up everyone she connected with, Mama Sousa leaves behind a legacy of kindness and compassion for all the lives she touched. Maria leaves a legacy of love and memories to be cherished by her three daughters: Maria (Ronald) Meiners; Genevieve (Lorenzo) Cuevas, Rose (Ignacio) Orozco and two sons: John (Juanita) Sousa and Anthony (Tamara) Sousa, along with 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren (ages 7 to 29).
A Mass of Christian Burial for Maria will be held on Monday, October 5, at 10:00 AM at the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, Olive Avenue, Redlands, with interment at Hillside Memorial Park; followed by a Celebration of Maria's Life at the Portuguese American Club, 1133 Crafton Avenue, Mentone, at 1:00 PM.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for MARIA SOUSA
Ines & Jose A. Figueiredo
September 27, 2023
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Ines & Jose A. Figueiredo
September 27, 2019
Tia we miss your gentle smile!!
Gloria Simmons
April 30, 2018
Maria Sousa was always warm and loving. I used to dine at the Sousa's Seafood restaurant. She made you feel like you were one of the family. I would bring her sweet pea flowers from my garden in Mentone,Ca and she would give me a loaf of her homeade bread. What a joy to know her! She will forever be in my heart!
Mary Cataldo
May 7, 2017
So very sorry to hear of your loss. She was always so kind to me and had the biggest heart. God has truly blessed your family with an Angel to watch over you. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Mary Jo Young
October 13, 2015
There may be more famous celebrities, but it is someone like Maria Sousa who lights up the world. I am so sorry to learn that she has left us now, but she lives on with all who harbor happy memories of her. I knew her only at Sousa's Fish Market, but over the years I got many hugs from Mary (as I always called her) when I went there for her fabulous fried fish. I will always recall her sweating over the deep fryer and Tony at the fresh fish counter. Their children were so small when they started helping out, but as Tony said, No work, no eat. I think the Lord welcomed Mary with open arms a few days ago and her spirit is now a bright light at home with our Heavenly Father.
Susie (and Anne) Taylor
October 13, 2015
Redlands has lost a jewel. Mrs. Souza was best known as the co-owner and then manager of the best fresh fish market in Southern California. I remember her smile, her guiding her children in the business, and her warmth.
I still think of the days when her entire family worked so hard to make their many returning customers happy. I still think of the days when we'd see all our neighbors at the Souza's. And I remember the day that their fish market closed.
Dear Anthony, Maria and families, Be happy.
Sylvia Ramirez
October 11, 2015
Sorry to hear about mama . I will never forget how sweet she was her and Mr Sousa always made sure I would eat halibut and fries I would always peek over the counter to see what she used to make batter. Well I'm close to it but will never get it like hers because it was made with mama Maria's luv.thanks for always feeding me luv u .sorry didn't make it to services just found out today;(
October 4, 2015
For Mama Sousa, and angel in life and now always. Sending wishes for love, peace and strength to all of you at this time.
October 4, 2015
Please forgive the awkwardness of my words. Anyone who ever knew her has fond memories of Mama Sousa! Once we were locked out of our car in the snow at Forest Falls. When we finally made it back to her house, chilled to the bone, she fed us the most DELICIOUS heart-warming and body-warming split pea soup with linguiça! I will never forget that flavor, but especially how her face lit up with happiness when she was serving us. She was our angel then, and now she is always and angel...
October 4, 2015
Wishing all the Sousas peace and strength at this time. She will be missed but she will be remembered by many, many generations to come! With lots and lots of love, Tam K.
October 4, 2015
Tia Maria was a wonderful person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Cousin Jimmy & family
Stacey P
October 4, 2015
So sorry to here of your loss. You will all be in my prayers.
Cynthia Vereen
October 3, 2015
To the Sousa family, our condolences. She will always be mama Sousa in our hearts. And as we know, mama Sousa is rejoicing in heaven.
Love the Vereen family.
Lance, Diane, and Daniel Waters
October 3, 2015
Our most heartfelt condolences during this time of sorrow. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Linda Figueiredo Aguiar
October 2, 2015
Dear Marie, Genevive, Rose, John, & Anthony-
Memories of Sweet Tia de California(as was your Mom's reference) will live vividly forever in my heart and mind. She was an extremely special woman. Her warm smile, loving hugs, and infectious laugh will be at the forefront of my memories of her. It was an honor to have spent time with her when I was at such a young yet impressionable age. Thinking of the entire family at this time of loss....... Sending loving thoughts, long- distance hugs and prayers your way from me in MA to you in CA! XOXO
Ines & Jose Antonio Figueiredo
October 2, 2015
Dear cousins
Our heartfelt condolences to all of you. Words cannot convey our sympathy.
May God comfort you at this time of sorrow.
May the wonderful memories of your Mother grandmother and great-grandmother that you all hold near and dear to your hearts make you smile and think of all the great times you spend together, our prayers and thoughts are with you and God bless the hole family.
Just remember she is another Angel looking over you she already had her wings waiting for her for all the great things she did in this hearth.
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