Maria C. (Ventura) Medeiros, 81, a beacon of love and a pillar of her community, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Hope Hospice Providence, RI. Born on August 19, 1943, in Vila Franca Do Campo, Sao Miguel, Azores, Maria was a woman whose life was defined by her unwavering kindness, faith, and dedication to her family.
A devoted wife, Maria and her husband Olimpio Medeiros shared a beautiful journey of over 63 years, filled with love and mutual respect. She was the cherished daughter of the late Manuel and Belmira (Andrade) Ventura and a nurturing mother who leaves behind a legacy of warmth and caring through her children: Armando Medeiros and his wife Oriana of East Providence, C. Kim Atherton and her husband Robert of Riverside, Laurie Sparks and her husband Michael of Rehoboth, MA. Her brother Manuel Ventura of Rumford, and sisters Fatima (Joel) Sousa of Terceira, as well as Mary (Ken) Watkinson of Bristol, will remember her as a guiding light in their lives.
Maria was the adored grandmother to Andrew, Amanda, James, Brennan, and Sean. She also held the precious role of great-grandmother to Myla May, Adelaide Lynn, Zoey Maria, Andrew Olimpio, and Leighton Ann. Her passing is also deeply felt by the many nieces, nephews, and in-laws whose lives she touched with her generosity and spirit.
For over 30 years, Maria served as a housekeeping supervisor at the Women and Infants Hospital, where her work ethic and compassion made a lasting impact. She was an East Providence resident for more than 56 years, having brought the richness of her Portuguese heritage from the Fox Point section of Providence and, earlier, from the Azores.
Maria's interests were a reflection of her love for life and the people in it. She found joy in tending to her garden, where she cultivated not only plants but also the beauty and tranquility that she so effortlessly shared with others. Her culinary skills were a source of comfort and delight to her family and friends, as she believed in the power of a home-cooked meal to bring people together.
Her artistic talent shone through in the homemade cards she crafted for every occasion, each one a testament to her thoughtfulness and creativity. Maria's involvement in her community was marked by her active participation in the TeoFilo Braga Club and the Feast of the Holy Ghost Committee, where her faith and cultural pride were on full display.
Maria was a woman who lived her faith in every action, her kindness radiating to all who had the privilege of knowing her. She was the embodiment of love, always giving of herself and leading by example. Her presence will be profoundly missed, yet her spirit will continue to inspire those who carry her memory in their hearts.
As we bid farewell to Maria C. (Ventura) Medeiros, we celebrate the remarkable woman she was and the countless lives she enriched. Her journey on this earth may have come to a close, but the love she shared will resonate for generations. Rest in peace, dear Maria, knowing that your legacy of love and kindness will endure forever.
Her funeral will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 8:30am from the REBELLO FUNERAL HOME, 901 Broadway, East Providence, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 21 Traverse Street, Providence. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 550 Wampanoag Trail, East Providence.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Calling hours are Friday from 4:00pm- 7:00pm in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Hope Hospice, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI, 02904.
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