Helena S. Sousa

Resident of Santa Clara

Passed away peacefully at home on November 8, 2016. Born on November 11, 1928 in Rosais, Sao Jorge, Azores.

Preceded in death by husbands Jose Ascensao and Manuel Sousa, brothers Jose Barcelos, Tony Barcelos and John Bettencourt and sisters Germana Almeida and Maria Giotto. Survived by brothers Armand Barcelos (Carol), Deodoto Bettencourt (Clarinda), and Eugene Bettencourt (Mary) and sisters Mary Littlefield (Bob) and Christine Quadro; Sisters-In-Law Regina and Carol and Brother-In-Law Victor. Loving mother to Mary Junkman (Collin), Deolinda Marton, David Ascensao (Donna), George Ascensao, and Ann Malone. Proud grandma to 13 Grandchildren, and 4 Great-Grandchildren.

Helena was the oldest of 11 children born to Manuel and Maria Bettencourt, and spent her childhood helping to care for her siblings and grandparents. After marrying Jose Ascensao and having a child in Rosais, she moved to California with her family in 1955. Over the next 18 years she lived on several Central Valley dairies, including one she and Jose briefly owned. During this time she gave birth to 4 additional children.

In 1973, following the death of her husband, Jose, she settled in Santa Clara to be near her parents and siblings. After several years she met and married Manuel Sousa. Together they raised Helena’s younger children, retired, then began travelling and spending more time camping and fishing. During this time she returned to the Azores to visit for the first time since she left as a young woman. She also discovered a joy in taking cruises. She took many different cruises with various siblings and friends, seeing lands she could not imagine as a young girl.

Helena was a member of the Holy Ghost and Our Lady of Fatima Societies of the SFV Lodge in Mt. View. Over the years she enjoyed arranging flowers for their festas and other events and baking Portuguese sweetbread for their fundraisers, among other things.

Helena loved to garden, growing vegetables and flowers. Her yard was a beautiful array of blooms and colors from spring through fall. She enjoyed all forms of needlework, especially crocheting, embroidery, and knitting. Above all, she loved her family – parents, siblings, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren - nieces, nephews, and their children - looking forward to semi-annual family reunions where all would come together to celebrate.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 PM on 11/20/2016, a rosary and celebration of her life will begin at 6:00 PM, at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 N. Winchester Blvd. Funeral Services will be held on 11/21/2016 at 10:00 AM at St. Lawrence Church, Santa Clara followed by interment at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery.