Born October 7, 1929, in Marinha Grande, Portugal, delivered unto Heaven on July 3, 2020, in Wilmington, DE. She was the daughter of Manuel Elisiario and Maria Umbelina, and had 4 brothers. Survived by her loving daughter Judite Reis-Noveck and son-in-law Mark Noveck; preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, Joao Felipe Reis Junior.
She was a devoted and loving wife and mother who was gentle and kind to everyone and loved children, flowers and long strolls in botanical gardens. Early in life, she helped to care for her two younger brothers. A wonderful home cook who made all meals from scratch, and a skilled seamstress, she approached every task with thoughtful and caring attention to detail. She took great delight in growing orchids, geraniums, anthurium and many other plants. She unfailingly supported her husband in all of his endeavors, from opening a restaurant to his pursuit of painting and the fine arts, to immigrating to the U.S. in 1976, and always encouraged her only daughter to study and pursue a college education. Her strong sense of morality and righteousness was a lifelong inspiration and a guiding light to her daughter, who valued her advice on matters large and small. While she was soft-spoken, she had deep abiding convictions grounded in faith, truth and morals.
Though she has passed, her memory will live forever in the hearts of the many people she touched. During her retirement, she was fortunate to travel the world, first with her husband and daughter to Europe, Jamaica, Cancun and Bahamas, and also later with her husband, daughter and son-in-law, on a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains and a tour of Italy.
She will be missed. Saudades eternas, querida Mae.
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