Avelina Freitas Pereira

Avelina was born in the village of Cedros in Faial, Azores, Portugal on January 7, 1936, to Manuel Freitas (father) and Anna Garcia Freitas (mother), the third of their five children. In April of 1959, she bravely moved to America and began her new life in San Jose, California. After 14 months, she returned to Faial to marry Jose Rosa Pereira, on June 17, 1960. She then returned to California, without her new husband, to work and save money for their future home, until he was able to join her four and a half years later. They welcomed their only son, Joseph Dinis Pereira, on March 5, 1966.

After moving to San Jose, Avelina got a job working at Levi Straus, then moved onto working in canneries until she retired in 1981. Once retired, she filled her time with continuing to raise her son, taking care of her home and garden and playing with her many, many cats (many of whom were lovingly named George). She enjoyed going to seasides all over the bay area hunting for mussels, particularly in the coastal town of Cayucos. These trips were made alongside her husband and son, and eventually her grandchildren. She enjoyed going to Flea Markets and haggling over prices (always coming out on top), sharing her ways with her grandchildren. She was an incredible grandmother, always taking her grandchildren on adventures and teaching them her vast range of skills.

Avelina was a social butterfly, enjoying playing cards with friends and taking advantage of the wonderful Portuguese community in San Jose to continue celebrating their culture. They attended many Festas throughout the years, helping to prepare food and bonding with the others in their community.

Avelina was predeceased by her husband, Jose, her parents, Manuel and Anna, her sister, Maria, and her brother, Jose, who she is now reunited with in peace. She is survived by her son, Dinis, daughter in law, Dina, two grandchildren, Bianca and Nicholas, and brothers, Louis and Manuel.

Visitation and rosary service will be held on October 26, 2023 at Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel (710 Willow St. San Jose, CA 95125). Funeral mass will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Parish (4600 Hyland Ave, San Jose, CA 95127) on Friday, October 27, 2023 at 1:00 pm, followed by a graveside service at Calvary Catholic Cemetery (2650 Madden Ave, San Jose, CA 95116) immediately after mass. If you wish to show your support, please visit www.LimaFamilyEricksonMemorial.com

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LimaFamilyEricksonMemorial.com for the Pereira family.