Maria S. Figueiredo

Maria Siqueira Figueiredo joined her heavenly Father on April 15, 2015. Born on April 20, 1931 in Serra Negra, Brazil, Maria was the oldest daughter of 15 siblings in a large and loving family. After a wonderful upbringing, Maria began her career as an administrative assistant for the Brazilian Highway Construction and Maintenance Department.

She went on to meet her husband, Ubi, in the country she loved and they were married in 1957. From 1959 to 1964, Maria and Ubi became the proud parents of three children, and for the next few years, Maria raised her family in Santos, Brazil. In 1967 the young family moved to Houston where Ubi continued his career in the chemical engineering industry, providing Maria the opportunity of living in numerous international locations. Her proficiency in Portuguese, Spanish and English enabled Maria to make many lifelong friends while experiencing the life and culture of each destination.

Always the loving wife and mother, Maria thrived in raising her children, while enjoying tennis, knitting, needlepoint and reading. She was an active member of the Houston Women’s Tennis Association and served as the captain of her team. As the children grew up, graduated from college and had families of their own, Maria became a doting grandmother to Stephanie Lowry, Keaton Figueiredo, Isaac Flanders, Noah Flanders and Brooklyn Figueiredo.

She was a dedicated and loyal member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Houston, and will always be fondly remembered for her tremendous faith and love of family. Maria always embraced life and brought joy to those around her, and touched everyone with her vibrant spirit and contagious smile. She will be dearly missed by her loved ones, who celebrate knowing that she is at peace with her creator.

Maria is survived by her husband, Ubi O. Figueiredo; daughter Iaci Flanders (Robert); son Ubi S.Figueiredo (Cindy), her five grandchildren, numerous siblings in Brazil and a host of family and friends throughout the world. She is preceded in death by her parents, Hildebrand and Maura Siqueira, several brothers and sisters, and son, Tab Figueiredo.

Services celebrating Maria’s life will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Forest Park Funeral Home and Cemetery located at 12800 Westheimer Road in Houston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Maria can be made to the American Heart Association.