Obituary of Maria Ilda Roque de Silva Santos

In loving Memory of our Mai, Maria Ilda Roque da Silva Santos
March 13, 1926 – November 27, 2017
It is with sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our Mom, Maria Ilda Santos, 91 years of age, on Monday November 27th surrounded by love and prayers in her room at Points West Living, Grande Prairie.  She was born on March 13th, 1926 in Sao Pedro da Cadeira, Portugal to Carmelinda and Egidio da Silva.  She suffered a long journey with Dementia/Alzheimer’s and is now resting peacefully in the arms of our Lord.
Maria is survived by her son, Paulo Santos (Karmen, Tiago, Joaquin, Vienna) and daughter Maria Dulce McCormick (Bill, Stephanie & Adam Kellie, Jessica McCormick, Andrew Aguero, Scarlett, Tobias) as well as her Grandchildren, Silvia Pimentel, Cynthia Jongsma (Brad, Alyssa, Jack), Vanessa Begin (Aaron, Greyson), Natasha Lanz (Justin, Tristan), Melissa Santos (Jarrett Snow, Adrianna, Emma), Jordan Santos.  She is preceded in death by her husband Jose Inacio dos Santos, her son Julio Santos, her daughter Teresa Pimentel, her grandson Mark Santos, her parents and two brothers.
Maria was the youngest of 3 siblings and loved to crochet, bake bread, sing and dance.  She married the love of her life in Portugal on January 28th, 1954.  She was a woman of small stature but had amazing strength.  Her husband moved to Canada in 1972 to prepare a life for his family as she stayed back in Portugal for two years while raising a young family until all was ready for their move.  She left behind her parents and brothers and came to a new country where she knew no one.  She lived in Toronto, ON with her family for 5 years, and once again journeyed across the country with her husband and family to Grande Cache, AB in 1979, where she grew to call home. All the while instilling in her children a love of the Portuguese culture and ensured that they continued to speak their mother tongue while also learning a new language.
Maria worked odd jobs in her life, but her main priority was her husband and children as a stay at home Mom. She had a strong faith and shared that with her children and grandchildren, and we take refuge in knowing she is now at Peace with her Lord and maker.
There will be Vigil Prayers on Friday December 1st at 7:00 pm and a Funeral Mass at 11:00am on Saturday December 2nd at Holy Cross Catholic Parish in Grande Cache, AB. Following the Funeral Mass, Maria will be laid to rest next to her husband at the Grande Cache Cemetery.  Please join the family for fellowship and refreshments following the internment at the Church Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Whispering Pines Lodge Social Fund, PO Box 9000, Grande Cache, AB T0E 0Y0 , or the Grande Cache Community Health Complex care of the Grande Cache Hospital Foundation, Box 629, Grande Cache, AB, T0E 0Y0 
Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780-830-7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com