MARIA FLORA SALLES SMITH, age 81, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at her home in Katy, Texas. Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Maria Flora married the love of her life, Leif H., in 1961 and together they created a beautiful, loving family that travelled the world. Maria Flora was a devout Christian with deep admiration for her Catholic roots and she was devoted to her husband (now deceased) and children for 49 years. To Lucia, Karin, Richard, and Henry, she was the most loving and caring mother ever. She welcomed Miguel, Krissi, and Susan into her family with opened arms and always kept in close touch through the years with her brothers and sisters, Cicero deOliveira, Maria Elisa, Maria Regina, and Luiz Antonio as well as her many nephews and nieces. To her adored grandchildren, Erin, Jacob, Nicholas, Sarah, Leif, Sophia, Michele, and Chase, she was known affectionately as “Vovo”. Our hearts are broken and we will miss her so much! Please keep Maria Flora in your prayers and in your fondest memories.
A funeral mass will be celebrated Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 10:30 AM at Saint John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, Texas.
