Obituary: Maria Luiza Maneca

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Maria Luiza Maneca

NAUGATUCK — Maria Luiza Maneca, 96, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, June 12, 2021, surrounded by her family.

Maria was born to Jose and Maria Do Carmo Almeida Lopes Vinagre, and her six other siblings have predeceased her. She will be reunited in heaven with her husband, Geronimo da Costa Maneca, who passed away in 2011.

Maria has a large family to leave her legacy to: three daughters, Maria Turrisi and her spouse, Andrea, of Newington, Anita Lavado and her spouse, John, of Prospect, Leonor Nascimento and her spouse, Rui, of Bristol; and two sons, John Maneca and spouse, Sandy, of Waterbury and Joseph Maneca and spouse, Donna, of Torrington. In addition, she doted on 11 grandchildren, Mauro Turrisi, Andria Augustowski, Jennifer and Jonathan Lavado, Jeremy and Daniel Nascimento, Nicole Neath, Michele Hager, Kristen Trainer, Amber Borges and Joseph Maneca.
But the family continued to grow with the addition of 15 great-grandchildren, Andrea, Alexander and Julianna Turrisi, Samantha and Joshua Miller, Marisol and Mateus Lavado, Ava, Canon, Castle, Sienna and Jasmine Nascimento, Vina and Ruby Hager, Emma Trainer, and Ayden and Brooklyn Borges; as well as several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Maria Palmira Maneca and Maria da Luz Vinagre.

Maria was a resident of Naugatuck, former worker of Uniroyal, a communicant of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Waterbury, and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Clube Uniao Portuguesa. She and her husband enjoyed and lived life: cruises, vacations to Portugal, trips to Niagara Falls, Virginia Beach, touring states, and also the simple things such as walks or concerts on the Naugatuck Green. But most of all, they appreciated and valued the family. Holidays were always at their home; everyone was invited (which increased steadily throughout the years so that all three rooms were needed to accommodate everyone). Food was always plentiful because she always made enough for an entire village. She had many talents: knitting, crocheting, sewing, cooking and baking. Maria was known for her generosity. When her siblings wanted to emigrate here from Portugal, she helped them financially and welcomed them into our home until they were able to provide for themselves.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks for those who cared for Maria these last several years including her home health care workers, Ines Ribeiro and family, Maria Fatima Almada, Cecilia Guerschi, and all the other health care and hospice providers. She will be remembered by everyone for her diligence, work ethic, family values and love of family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, June 17, 2021, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 2071 Baldwin St., Waterbury. Burial will follow in Grove Cemetery, Cross Street, Naugatuck. Calling hours are Thursday from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to our cousin, Maria Luiza Rodrigues (to fund her cancer recovery), c/o Anita Lavado, 210 Sycamore Drive, Prospect, CT 06712.

To leave an online condolence, visit buckmillerthurstonmengacci.com.