Arlene Marie Pereira

Arlene Marie Pereira, 83, answered the calling of her Lord just three days before her 84th birthday on July 19, surrounded by family. Arlene was first born to Manuel Thomas Camara and Agnes E. Camara (Azevedo), in Hanford on July 22, 1933. She was soon blessed with three brothers, whom she took care of from a young age. Arlene attended Kings River Hardwick and graduated Eighth grade. This would be the end of her formal schooling so she could travel to the Azores with her grandparents for a year. The trip ended at six months, with the passing of her grandmother, while they were in the Azores. Arlene and her grandfather returned to the Hanford, where she assumed the care of her mother and young siblings with the help of her father.

During WWII, Arlene watched many of her friends sent to internment camps, or left with little to no food during the rations period. Arlene’s family dairy and fruit farm , would be a constant help to friends and neighbors during this time as they shared the fruits, meat, milk and anything else they could grow with those close to them. This sense of duty and giving never left Arlene throughout her life. She always had a coffee pot perking, food on the table and her home open to everyone.

Arlene met her husband Frank Coelho Pereira Jr., when he accompanied a family member from Stockton to the Hanford dairy for business. One look and it was over for Frank, he asked Arlene to join him at a Festa in two weeks in Stockton. Arlene said yes, her father said no. And held on to the no until two days before the Festa, where he gave in and drove Arlene to the dance. When she walked in, Frank, (who had another lady on his arm) took one look and ran to her side and never left it. They were married on April 19, 1952 at St. Brigid’s in Hanford.

She and Frank made their home in Hanford, where they opened their lives to their six children and Frank’s extended family from the Azores. Over the course of years, they would have 11 families living with them and during this time Arlene taught them English, helped them with immigration paperwork and acclimating to life in the US. Arlene was a mother, homemaker, farmer, dairywoman, catechism teacher, migrant education aide at Kings River Hardwick and member of SPRSI, PFSA and Luso-American. She lived a full life and shared her knowledge, love, understanding and rice pudding with everyone she met.

Arlene is preceded in death by her parents; Manuel Thomas Camara and Agnes E. Camara (Azevedo), brother Alvin (Isabel), sister-in-law Willie Camara (Manuel) husband Frank Coelho Pereira Jr. and grandchildren; Shanda Rose, Jared and Brandon Michael Pereira.

To carry on Arlene’s memory is brothers; Manuel and Joseph (Laura) Camara and sister-in-law, Isabel Camara. Sons; Frankie Coelho Pereira Jr.(Donna), Larry Allen, John Thomas (Christi), twins Manuel Joseph and Michael Joseph (Carol) and daughter Alisa Hinds (David), all of Hanford. Arlene was blessed with 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren, numerous brothers and sisters-in-laws, nieces and nephews from the Pereira and Camera families, friends and her constant companion Minnie the dog . Each and everyone one of you held a special place in her enormous heart.