Isabel Da Lomba Mendes

Isabel Da Lomba Mendes was born August 12th, 1935 to Regina Freitas and João Da Lomba. She grew up on the remote mountainous island of Brava in Cabo Verde, the eldest of three sisters and one brother.

In her rural village life, she cultivated a great knowledge and appreciation for plants and animals. Isabel dedicated her life to the raising of her four daughters, Maria Bella, Maria Jose, Regina, and Cindy, as well as three step-daughters, Maria Pedrina, Audelia, and Adelaide, whom she cherished after the difficult loss of her only son, Samuel. With her husband, Jose Pedro Mendes, Isabel moved her family to the United States in 1975 at age 40, sacrificing the close-knit island life she knew well for the great unknown and a chance for her children to have better opportunities. She enjoyed a strong faith in God, and prayed everyday for the people she loved in her life.

Isabel leaves behind bountiful examples of her crochet, a talent she perfected until her fingers let up. She was a fierce lover of music and poetry, and took song with her to her final days, where she still sang and snapped her fingers to bring smiles to the faces of those around her. Her favorite artists were Bana, Cesaria Evora, and Selena. Isabel spent her later years steadfastly caring for her grandchildren, introducing them to music and the Crioulo language. She imparted to her loved ones the importance of faith and patience, working on something slowly and carefully until you can finally reach your dreams.

Isabel’s greatest wish in life was to win the lottery and buy her family a big house with lots of land, where they could all be together. She will be remembered for her strong-willed nature, sense of humor, pride in her family, and love of story-telling.

Revelations 3:11 “Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”

A visitation will be held at McCracken Funeral Home, located at 1500 Morris Ave, Union, NJ, 07083, on January 24, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

The funeral service will take place at the same venue immediately following the visitation.

A committal service is scheduled at Rosehill Cemetery and Crematory, located at 792 E Edgar Rd, Linden, NJ, 07036, on January 24, 2026.

Isabel Da Lomba Mendes will be remembered for her remarkable spirit and the lasting impact she had on the lives of those around her.