Clara Fatima Brasil was born on August 12, 1950 in Achadas Da Cruz, Madeira, Portugal and passed away peacefully on May 23, 2023 at the age of 72. From a young age she preferred to be called by her middle name Fatima, and this is the name everyone knew her as. She was a loving wife to Jose Brasil for 44 years until his passing in 2021 and a devoted mother to her children, son Daniel Brasil, daughter Monica Brown, and son-in-law Brian Brown. She completely adored her grandchildren, Emma and Jackson, who called her Mãe (mom) instead of Avó (grandma).
Fatima immigrated to the United States with her mother, brother Abel, and sister Josefina on January 20, 1973. She settled in Santa Clara and shortly after started her first job at Skyline Convalescent Hospital. Her employment there didn’t last very long due to her lack of speaking and understanding English. Fatima later joked that people at the convalescent home would ask her for a glass of water and she would bring them a towel instead. Next she worked at The Fair International Restaurant alongside many other Portuguese people who helped her learn to speak English. This is also where she met her husband Jose and they later held their wedding reception there. Soon after they were married, Fatima and Jose purchased their home in Santa Clara where they raised their family and lived until their passings.
She worked several different jobs and eventually retired from T.V. Guides in 1999 after receiving a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. The disease and retirement did not slow her down. Instead, she stayed busy with her hobbies including gardening, crochet, baking, watching soccer, and camping in Half Moon Bay. Fatima also babysat many nieces and nephews and each one of them was her favorite.
Fatima will always be remembered for the way she loved and cared for others, her feisty personality, and her sense of humor. She was a jokester and loved trying to trick her family each year on April Fools Day. Despite the many health challenges she faced, Fatima was determined to fight and be there for her grandchildren, Emma and Jackson, as much as possible. They were her world and her reason for fighting so hard. Fatima is preceded in death by her husband Jose Brasil, parents Andre and Augusta Sardinha, brother Abel Sardinha, and sister Madalena Almeida. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, siblings, and many nieces and nephews who loved and cherished her.
The love and memories she left behind are her legacy and will live on through all who loved her.
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