It is with devastated hearts that the family of Maria Eduarda Ferreira announces her passing on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, blessed with 61 years of life.
Maria was born in Vila Franca, San Miguel, Azores, Portugal on November 25, 1949 to parents Maria and Antonio Costa. The family emigrated to Canada and Maria attended school in Castlegar, graduating from Stanley Humphries in 1969. Maria married Antonio Ferreira on July 29, 1972 and they raised four sons. She worked in housekeeping and then in P & D in the Castlegar Hospital. Maria was devoted to her faith and was a member of St. Rita’ Parish and also a member of St. Rita’s visiting group for the sick and for those who are unable to leave their homes.
Maria was predeceased by her grandparents and by her mother-in-law and father-in-law.
Left to mourn her loss are her loving husband of 38 years Tony; sons Ryan, Stephen, David and Simon; two granddaughters Kandence and Jadyn; parents Maria and Antonio Costa; sisters Hiberta Bilinski and Marian Shlakoff; brothers Tony John, Frank and Dennis and several nieces and nephews.
Vigil Prayers were held at St. Rita’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 and Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Father Martin Bettin, ofm on Thursday, February 17, 2011 followed by the interment at Park Memorial Cemetery.
Donations in Maria’s memory may be to the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, 895 – 10th Avenue West, Vancouver BC V5Z 1L7 or the Heart and Stroke Foundation C-01, Castlegar Unit, PO Box 3023, Castlegar BC V1N 3H4.
Mother
God made a wonderful mother,
A mother who never grows old,
He made her smile out of sunshine
He moulded her heart out of gold;
He made her as near as an angel,
As anyone ever could be;
God made a wonderful mother,
And gave that dear mother to me.