Zelinda R. Azevedo

“Anything is possible.” That is what Zelinda Brasil dos Reis Azevedo believed about life. She had faith in her ability to find those solutions.. Zelinda was a person who believed that she could achieve whatever she set out to do. She was practical somewhat carefree and in many ways naive. Determined and persistent when something needed to be done... She had a cheerful and out going personality.

Zelinda was born on August 22, 1940 at home in Faja do Belo, Freguesia da Ribeira Seca, Sao Jorje, Azores. Her parents were Manuel dos Reis and Maria Brasil dos Reis... Her paternal grandparents were Joao dos Reis and Isabel Emilia dos Reis... Her maternal grandparents were Jose Silveira Brasil and Rosa do Espirito Santo... Zelinda was raised in Faja dos Cubres, Azores. Zelinda was raised with eight siblings.. She had three brothers, Manuel, Antonio, Alberto and five sisters, Arminda, Cidalia, Ofelia, Elmira and Angela.

As a young girl, Zelinda took part in working hard with her family for methods of survival. A rough and tough life of picking limpits (lapas), clams, catching octopus etc.. Taking all that plus her father and mother’s catch of the day, to then walk miles to the outskirts of their village, to make a little money that went into the family pot... In her spare time she liked to hang out with her family, sing fado and dance bailos de roda as her father played the guitar... Zelinda didn’t have the opportunity to attend school for very long. Having to walk for miles to Caldeira do Santo Cristo, became very challenging especially, during bad weather not to mention her duties of having to help the family... But her memorable achievements included crocheting (fazer renda) and quilting... Later as a young adult her parents placed her in a home outside of the village (Manadas) to work for a family. Shra Zelina and Shr. Nascimento not only employed her, they were wonderful mentors and friends to Zelinda. This is where she comes to meet her future husband.

On January 27, 1963 Zelinda exchanged wedding vows with Joao Sabino da Silva Azevedo at Igreija da Irmida of Manadas, Sao Jorge. They were married for 50 years. She was a vibrant personality and she enjoyed verbally sparring with Joao. In fact, those who knew her often remarked that Zelinda loved to supervise every situation or individual. Often called the “supervisor”!

Zelinda and her husband had their first son, Jose on march 30, 1964, soon after they were married. They lost their son 1 year later to cancer. Six months later on September 1, 1965 they had their daughter, Eulalia.

Four months later in 1966 they adventured on a new beginning,’”Angola, Africa”, where they spent 9 years as dairy farmers...’A portuguese and African treaty’... The voyage to Africa was a three week challenge at sea in the ship, Lima. Weather conditions and the weight of cargo (cattle, furniture and many families) brought intense panic and uncertainty as the ship filled with water. Ship crew worked hard at removing the water and some of the weight to successfully reached their destination... Once there, they settled in their now to be new home (house #2), In colonato da Vila Nova... Not knowing what to expect Zelinda found herself isolated and uncertain, living in this unknown desert area of many acres with no one around but her husband and a baby. Soon they walked miles in search of other portuguese settlers. ..One month after being there Zelinda was diagnosed with tuberculoses and hospitalized for one month. Having to be in Isolation for treatment, she placed her baby in the care of new friends... The many tramatic events had caused a major turning point in Zelinda. She battled depression and possibly an emotional break down.... After some time a community of portuguese friends was formed, where they became very involved in the making of the portuguese celebrations.. Zelinda found a way to pull herself thru, being happy again and enjoying life in Africa.

On January 29,1972 she had her son Johnny and one year later on January 26 1973 she had another son, Trajano. During her delivery at home she had major complications with emerging and became unconcious. Her husband rushed her to the hospital in Bengela (one hour away) where they immediately gave her a blood transfusion.... Even though she faced many circumstances, life there was simple and relaxing. She took care of her kids, at times help milk or feed the calfs, get together with friends to play cards, tell stories or simply sit outside at night listening to sounds of Africa and looking at the zillion stars in the sky.

In 1975 they refuged out of Africa to protect their children, and back to the Azores where they lost everything due to the revolution. Starting life all over was a very humbling experience..With no job in place, money, homeless and three children they faced humility, embarrassment and fear as they had to except help from family, friends and the Red Cross. They immediately recognized Gods love thru family and friends as many extended their hand out to help. They felt appreciative and blessed. But for Zelinda life now meant having to step it up and work harder and do what needed to be done. Her anxiousness increased and even more so after her husband got injured at work and had to stop working and not much longer after that her daughter(11) gets hit by a car and is hospitalized.

On March 24,1978 they made another choice to immigrate to the USA for a better life for their kids. Uncertainty of the new world but still willing to step out in faith... Their new beginning starts out in Easton, California where her husband Joao gets a job right away as a milker at Tony and Manuel Mattos Dairy... Zelinda was a house wife, parent as well as the one that managed the income.. That meant everything went in the bank. Her kids never went hungry but they never splurged either. Just about everything was home made, hand made and hand me downs. No vacations, no restaurants with once a month grocery shopping for the bare necessities. Zelinda was determine to save enough money to buy a car, a roof over their heads and it had to be paid in cash... After that her goal was to be able to save for a rainy day to help out with their kids down payments on their cars and to be able to leave something for them...Not to long after, her husband gets injured at work. Her mind gets the best of her and fear kicks in. Her anxiousness cause her to start pulling her hair out. A psychological disorder called Trichotillomania. It took Zelinda 15 years of off and on pshyciatric therapy to end this struggle.

In 1981 her husband moves to John DeGroot Dairy for a better paying job. There they meet friends from the Azores where they shared many commonalities and traditions. Some of them were, Matancas (pig killings), their garden vegetables and fruits, their kids and the portuguese celebrations. Their friends would be the Parreira’s, Fontes, Martins, Custodios, Tavares Peichoto’s and Silveira’s. Raising kids as they got older, the worries of their being, the changes inmanoupause and the continues anxiety made life not so pleasant.. In the early 90’s she had to have a hysterectomy.

Zelinda was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things and talk to anyone she came in contact with. The language barrier never held her back. Joao often would get embarrassed and would wait in the car until she was done...These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around her. She enjoyed and was always interested in her friends’ activities and interests. Zelinda’s humor and curiosity were contagious for those around her.

In 1999 her husband retires and they buy a home in Fresno. She is now doing a lot of babysitting and help raise her grandkids.

Zelinda was blessed with three grandchildren, Justin, Eric and Elijah. Someone who was quick to laugh, Zelinda enjoyed spending lots of time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed baking pao de milho, masa sevada, making filhos, and her favorite soups; caldo de coives, caldo de agrioes, caldo de funchos, and chicken soup, especially if she knew that the grandkids would be going over. She loved to feed them and would say, “ papa tudo”! When she needed a break from cooking , her favorite close place to go was Burger king (whopper jr., fries and diet coke). she loved figs, peaches and arasais from her tree dad her husband planted. Her favorite desserts were flan, rice pudding, rosquilhas de agua ardente, filhos and many others. ..She had a sweet tooth for sure.

She enjoyed all of her birthday celebrations and holidays with her family. She loved lots of attention and made sure she got it. Later she makes new friends, Albertina, Francisca, and neighbors, Fatima, Maryann, and Rosa. In 2000 she gets her citizenship. A story in itself!

Zelinda loved to watch novelas with her husband , going to festas to dance the chamarita, hangout with family and friends and play sueca. She was blessed by caring neighbors that played a big part in her life. She also enjoyed shopping. ..Around this time she is diagnosed with diabetes.

Faith and religion were important to Zelinda. She was baptized at Igreija Caldeira do Santo Cristo in Sao Jorje, Acores... She attended St. Judes church in Easton, Ca. for most of the time that she lived in the USA. Later after her husband retirement they purchase a home closer to St. Mary Queen of the Apostles.

Having the opportunity to visit and explore new places always intrigued Zelinda. Favorite vacations included Toronto, Canada, two trips to the Azores, a cruise to Mexico and little trips to Cayucus beach, California.

In 2005 Zelinda is diagnosed with Hepatitis C stage 4, sorosis of the liver.. Because it was in the late stages, treatment couldn’t be done and she was given less than 2 years to live. It was to be believe that the Hep C was caused by the blood transfusion in Africa... Zelinda didn’t accept the news of what was happening and wanted to fight. Denial of the reality was many times what kept her going...As her liver became worse she had many episodes of ensepholapathy, that would comatize her for days at a time. Many procedures and surgeries and a lots of visits to the ER.. Despite of what the doctors said 6 years later she was still pressing forward...She chooses to get on the liver transplant list.. It took another 1 1/2 years of back and forth trips to UCSF for more tests and procedures” an intense and long process”.. .During the same time her husband was battling cancer... She was excited when finally gets the news that she reached her spot on the list.

On May 5 2013 her husband’s cancer takes his life. Zelinda finds her self alone and heart broken but yet to everyone’s surprise she still chooses to push forward with a surge of energy where she is overworking to care for her home and what belonged to her husband. She still talked about her upcoming surgery. Three weeks later she ends up in the ER where now she is diagnosed with heart failure and fluid in the lungs. Her mind wanted one thing and her body another. Immediately she is taken off the list. She was faced with many emotions from mourning her husband, disappointment, anger to finally acceptance. She knew her husband was calling her home yet her concern for her son and grandson made it hard to part.

Zelinda passed away on July 7, 2013 in her home in Fresno, California. Zelinda fought a brave and long life battle... She is survived by her children Eulalia, Johnny, and Trajano; her grandchildren Justin, Eric and Elijah. .She now joins her husband, Joao that passed two months and two days prior to her passing and her son, Jose that she longed for 48 years. Services were held at St. Jude Church. Zelinda was laid to rest at St. Peter Cemetary in Fresno.

During her lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Zelinda. She met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “yes it can” attitude. Zelinda was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around her could not. She had the faith of a child about her to how she looked at life. It didn’t matter how much life beat her down she always had hope and a strong will to keep on going. Her words often would be “I want to live!” Her biggest desire in life was to see her children and grandchildren live a good life.. For Zelinda Brasil dos Reis Azevedo, living her life could be found in the challenge of perseverance.