Sara Mello passed away October 3, 2022, at her home of nearly 50 years in Watsonville. Born in Merced County, CA, to John M Costa and Mary J. Costa (Sousa). Sara grew up in Dos Palos, CA, graduated from Dos Palos High School, and Married Tony Ferreira Mello in 1949. Together they operated Flying M Dairy outside of Dos Palos, where Sara was never shy about driving truckloads of hay and helping work on the dairy, while raising two of eventually four children, all in addition to working for the local newspaper, the Dos Palos Star. In 1959, Sara and Tony moved to the Willamonte Ranch near Wadsworth NV, where Sara proceeded to grow lawns and flowers where previously only sagebrush had grown. Sara had a green thumb, always planting and maintaining flower and vegetable gardens wherever they lived. In 1961, the family moved to Scotts Valley, CA. In 1973 they moved to their home in Watsonville, and after a preretirement stint in Salt Lake City, UT, Sara, and Tony returned to their home in Watsonville in 1986, where she remained until her death.
Sara & Tony enjoyed travel taking many cruises, trips to Portugal, the Azores and Spain. Her favorite trips were traveling with their 5th wheel trailer, starting with a yearlong trip across the US, followed by trips in the Western US, especially each year to Quartzite, AZ to meet up with their ever-growing list of RV friends. Sara was an active member of several fraternal organizations. She was a Grange member for over 70 years, serving several years as Lecturer of the Aptos Grange. Gaining many lifelong friends along the way. Sara was passionate about her Azorean Heritage being a member of several Portuguese Fraternal Societies, among them SES, UPEC, UPPEC, IDES, now all called PFSA, CPDES and Cabrillo Club.
Proceeded in death by her parents, John and Mary Costa, and husband of nearly 65 years Tony Ferreira Mello. She leaves behind her large family, David Mello (Mary) of Scotts Valley, CA, Elaine Kulm (Jerry) of Scotts Valley, CA, Karen Jensen (Jim) of Murray UT, and Anthony Mello (Ingrid) of Glenwood, MN. 12 grandchildren: Jeff and Eric Mello, Laura Hardy, Julie Leonard and Katrina Smith, Janae Knighton and Shannon Jensen, Anna and Joseph Mello, Jason, Jeremy, and Jeffrey Blackmun and 12 great grandchildren. Sara was blessed to be attended to at her life’s end by wonderful and compassionate caregivers from Ponce’s In Home Care. Lola Cordova deserves appreciation as Sara’s live in caregiver and companion. Special thanks to Mike and Cathy Kelly for keeping a close eye on Sara and being great friends to her.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, 435 Monterey Ave, Capitola, CA on Friday October 14, 2022, at 10:30am. The Rosary and viewing will take place preceding the mass at 9:30am. Internment at Holy Cross Cemetery will follow the mass. Contributions in honor of Sara’s life may be made to your favorite charity.
