Maria F Verissimo

Born on April 8th, 1937, she was a proud Portuguese woman from Terceira, Azores, whose strength, traditions, and love for family followed her throughout her life.

For our family, it is difficult to explain her life without also explaining our own because she was simply always there. She lived with our family for decades and became part of the everyday rhythm of our home. She helped raise her grandchildren, watched them grow into adults, welcomed spouses, significant others, and friends, and eventually got to love another generation through her great-grandchildren. There were school days, bus stop pickups, birthdays, holidays, doctor’s appointments, trips, arguments, laughter, teasing, and thousands of completely ordinary days together. Those ordinary days are now some of the ones we would give anything to have back. Anyone who knew her probably heard some version of “Did you eat?” countless times.

She was strong, stubborn, fiercely independent, and often unintentionally hilarious. She loved watching her novelas and wrestling. She could be teased by the family and become completely confused about what everyone found so funny, which usually only made everyone laugh harder. Those little moments became part of what made home feel like home.

Her love was never limited to blood. Over the years, friends, caregivers, significant others of family members, and people who simply came into our lives became people she cared for as her own. Language was never much of a barrier to that. She found ways to love and care for people regardless, and we will miss having her worry about all of us.

Most of all, we will miss simply knowing she was there.

After a lifetime of caring for everyone around her, we find comfort in knowing that she is finally at peace. We are endlessly grateful for every year, every memory, and for the privilege of having her woven into our lives.

Maria is survived by her five children, son-in-law, two daughters-in-law, thirteen grandchildren, three granddaughters-in-law, two grandsons-in-law, eight great-grandchildren, and an extended family of relatives and loved ones who will continue to carry her memory with them.

A Memorial Service will be held at KROWICKI MCCRACKEN FUNERAL HOME, 2124 East Saint George Ave, Linden, NJ 07036, US, on August 28, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.