Obituary of Maria Vaz Santos

Our Beloved Maria

Maria was born July 25, 1927 in Vila Soeiro do Chao, Portugal.  She peacefully passed on September 16, 2023 with her family by her side.

Maria lived in Portugal and Angola, Africa and in 1965 migrated to New Jersey with her husband, Antonio, and 2 children, Joe and Gina.  Maria and Antonio later moved to Washington State to be near their children and grandchildren.

Maria worked so hard helping to support her family both in a sweatshop as a seamstress and in the family boarding house. She got very little rest, but was always there for others. She was a devout woman of faith who dedicated her life to her husband, children and grandchildren. She fiercely loved them all. They were her greatest joy.  Nothing made her happier than to see her family together. She loved to cook and showed her love by making her family their favorite foods.  Grandma Soup, codfish balls, flan, rice pudding, bread with sausage, filhoses, chicken with potatoes, her own style of paella rice… all these things evoke warm and loving memories of wonderful food that never lasted long once they were served. She loved her flowers and her garden and gently tended to them until well into her ’90’s.

She selflessly gave to others, always putting herself last. Her heart was always full of love for everyone, and her genuine kind soul, warmth, caring and gentleness were ever present. If you had the good fortune to be with her, you would have heard her say earnestly “I love my family, I love my family, I love my family”.

She is survived by her husband Antonio, her son Joe (Abby), her daughter Gina (Barry), grandchildren Jessica, Julie (Jason), Amie (Mike), Tony, Joey, Kacie (Hayden) and great-grandchildren Hallie, Colton, Carter, Wesley, Alyssa, Lilah and Clara. She is and will always be immensely loved and adored. Rest peacefully our sweet precious angel in God’s loving arms.

P.S.  Have a glass of wine with sweet Mary Lam, and say “Hi” to Bruno Sammartino and Lawrence Welk when you see them.

With all our LOVE... Your Family