Mary Lourenco

Mary Lourenco was born in Riverdale, California in 1925. Her parents, Francisco and Emilia Borba, had migrated from the island of Terceira, Azores to the San Joaquin Valley. A son, Frank, was born to the family two years later. Francisco and his brother, Joao, began their new lives in the dairy business. But the Great Depression came to the USA, and the brothers were not able to sustain the family. So, they all headed back to Terceira.

Mary and Frank grew up in Terceira in very poor surroundings. Mary developed a nickname that stuck with her for her entire life. With 2 other close cousins, also named Mary, they nicknamed her “Mamie” to help differentiate the girls.

Being an American Citizen, when Mamie reached 18 years of age, she gathered up her USA passport, boarded a freighter bound for the USA crossing the Atlantic Ocean to arrive in New York City. Next step was to ride a passenger train and head to the Los Angeles where she was met by her Tia Chica (Aunt Frances). Mamie had little to no money, did not speak English and was shy as the day is long. But, she made it thanks in part to the kindness of a fellow passenger, who shared her apples with Mamie during the long ride to the West Coast.

Mamie was a beautiful girl and caught the eye of many Portuguese suitors. One in particular also caught her eye, Carlos Lourenco, Jr. They married in 1947 in Paramount, California, and started a new life together in the dairy business with Carlos Lourenco Sr.

By 1956, they had four children; 3 sons and a daughter. Carlos and Mamie decided to venture out on their own, starting with building a new dairy farm in Corona, California. In those days, that seemed like the end of the world away from Paramount.

The family and the business prospered in Corona and they were married for 41 years. They were known in the community for their generosity with the local catholic churches, with the strong support of the Portuguese culture and their love for the dairy farming industry.

Carlos passed in 1988, leaving Mamie behind to carry on the dairy and become the matriarch of the family. But, as development continued to infringe upon the agricultural land of the surrounding counties, Mamie eventually sold the dairy farm, returning to where she began her life, the San Joaquin Valley.

Mamie was always known as a loving, giving mother, grandmother, great grand-mother, friend and sister. She is missed today and will be missed every day.

Survivors include her children, Carlos B. Lourenco & wife, Yolanda, Frank B. Lourenco & wife, Debbie, Mary Katheleen Lourenco & husband, Henry Moody, and Joe Lourenco; brother, Frank Borba; grandchildren, Michael, Karl, Melissa, Melanie, Daniel and Jackie; great-grandchildren, Lynnora, Joseph, Steven, Riley, Travis, Rebecca, Payton, and Joseph. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carlos.

Services are being held on Thursday, April 28th, 10:30 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Tulare, CA Interment is on Friday at Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Mortuary-Cemetery, Riverside, CA