Obituary of Maria Melo

Maria Susana Soares Melo was born Monday, January 29th 1934 in the Azores, Island of Sao Miguel, town of Vila Franca do Campo. She was the daughter of Antonio Furtado Soares and Maria da Gloria Medeiros, sister to Denise Soares and Jose Soares.

She grew up in Sao Miguel and fell in love with Vitor Manuel de Freitas Melo and they were married on Wednesday November 13 th 1963. They started their family in Ponta Delgada having their five children: John, Ana, Joe, Tony and Grace before they immigrated to Canada on January 10 th 1975.
 

When they arrived in Canada, she worked in janitorial services with her sister-in-law Berta cleaning offices while her husband Vitor worked in factories for the first few years. They continued working like this to reach their goal of owning their very own janitorial business. Maria worked together with Vitor in their family business along with their children until the untimely passing of her beloved husband Vitor in 1997.

After retiring she enjoyed going to the Oshawa Senior Citizens Centre where she met dear friends and enjoyed spending time chatting, doing aqua fit, dancing and enjoying the company of her friends.  She enjoyed going to the Oshawa Fiesta week and parade where she would attend the different pavilions in which she enjoyed watching her grand children dance at the Portuguese Club pavilion. She enjoyed going on day trips with her family and visiting friends. She loved listening to music of all genres.
 

She adored her grandchildren Jennifer, Sean, Bronson, Nicole, Tiana, Natasha, Melissa, Chantel, Sabrina, Victoria, Lucia, Megan and Emmanuel as well as her Great Grandchildren Layla, Ellarose and Oriana all of which were her pride and joy.
 

She lived a very fulfilling life with her husband of 34 years until his passing in 1997 and continued to do so afterwards with her children by her side. She will be greatly missed by her loving family and her dear friends.
 

She passed peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Saturday November 28 th 2020 at the age of 86. She joins her husband Vitor, daughter Ana, her sister Denise and has rejoined with her parents Antonio and Gloria in eternal peace.
 

The family wishes to thank everyone for their encouragement, love and support through this journey.
 

Visitation will be held at the DeStefano Funeral Home on Friday, December 4th from 11-1pm.  A Memorial Service will be held in the De Stefano Chapel at 1:00pm.

Memories may be shared at www.destefanofuneralhomes.ca