Born Herminia Almeida Bettencourt on November 21, 1926 in the village of Rosais, São Jorge, Azores—Portugal, to Miguel Almeida Bettencourt & Rosa Avila Almeida. She was the youngest of six children. On Oct 11, 1948 she married the love of her life, Manuel Lucas Barcelos. They had 5 children, Jose, Artur, Velma, Grace, & Albert. The family immigrated to the United States in 1967 where they lived and worked on a dairy farm in Morgan Hill, CA. 13 months later, her husband Manuel had a major stroke and survived, but had difficulties and was no longer able to work. Shortly after, the family moved and settled in Santa Clara, CA. On January 20, 1978, a great tragedy fell upon the family. Herminia lost the great love of her life to a heart attack and became a widow at the young age of 51. When asked why she never remarried, her answer was always “Manuel was the love of my life, no one could ever take his place.” Herminia dedicated her life to continue to raise her children and later help care for her 10 grandchildren and even some of her 14 great-grandchildren. Her family meant the world to her and she felt more alive when they all were together celebrating or just spending time together. Another tragedy occurred in Herminia’s life on August 9, 2015 when her eldest born child Jose Lucas lost his battle to cancer.
Herminia was a devout Catholic and member of Saint Clare Parish, as well as a long serving member of many Portuguese organizations where she enjoyed volunteering. She was a hard worker and always went above and beyond to help and had a very funny sense of humor that many times would catch people off guard. She enjoyed crocheting blankets and custom stitching kitchen towels. She made sure to make a little something for every child, grandchild & great grandchild to have as keepsakes in memory of her. She also loved cooking traditional Portuguese dishes for friends and family and was especially well known for her rice pudding and cookies. Herminia touched so many people in so many ways and will be greatly missed by all. May she rest in peace.
A visitation will occur Wednesday, February 15, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary at 466 North Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95050. A rosary service will occur Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 7:00 PM at 466 North Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95050. A Funeral Mass will occur Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Saint Clare Parish, 725 Washington Street, Santa Clara, CA 95050. A committal service will occur Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, 490 Lincoln St, Santa Clara, CA 95050. A reception will occur Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM, 466 North Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95050.
Herminia Almeida Bettencourt nasceu a 21 de Novembro de 1926 na freguesia de Rosais, São Jorge, Açores-Portugal. Filha de Miguel Almeida Bettencourt e Rosa Avila Almeida, era a mais nova de seis filhos. No dia 11 de Outubro de 1948 casou com a sua alma gémea, Manuel Lucas Barcelos. Tiveram 5 filhos, José, Artur, Velma, Grace e Alberto. Em 1967 emigrou para os Estados Unidos com sua família. Viveu e trabalhou numa fábrica de lacticínios em Morgan Hill, Califórnia. Depois de 13 meses, Manuel teve um derrame cerebral e sobreviveu, mas teve dificuldades que o impediram de trabalhar mais. Pouco depois, a família deslocou-se para Santa Clara, Califórnia. No dia 20 de Janeiro de 1978, aconteceu uma tragédia. A Hermínia perdeu o amor da sua vida de um ataque cardíaco e ficou viúva aos 51 anos. Quando lhe perguntaram por que nunca mais se casou, a resposta dela sempre foi “O Manuel foi o amor da minha vida que ninguém poderia tomar o seu lugar”. Dedicou a sua vida a continuar a criar seus filhos e mais tarde a ajudar a cuidar dos seus 10 netos e até alguns dos seus 14 bisnetos. A sua família significava o mundo para ela e sentia-se mais viva quando estavam a celebrar ou a passar tempo todos juntos. Outra tragédia ocorreu na vida dela no dia 9 de Agosto de 2015, quando o seu filho mais velho perdeu a batalha contra o cancro.
A Hermínia era uma devota Católica, e sócia da Igreja de Santa Clara e irmandades portuguesas onde se dedicava voluntariamente. Era uma trabalhadora esforçada e ia sempre além para ajudar. Tinha um humor muito engraçado que muitas vezes apanhava as pessoas desprevenidas. Gostava de fazer crochê e toalhas de cozinha personalizadas. Fez questão de fazer uma coisinha para cada filho, neto, e bisneto ter como lembranças em memória dela. Também adorava cozinhar pratos tradicionais portugueses para amigos e familiares, e era especialmente conhecida pelo seu arroz doce e biscoitos. A Hermínia comoveu tantas pessoas de tantas formas, e a sua falta será sentida por todos nós. Paz à sua alma.
Legacy of Love
A wife, a mother, a grandma too, this is the legacy we have from you. You taught us love and how to fight, you gave us strength, you gave us might, a stronger person would be hard to find, and in your heart, you were always kind. You fought for us all in one way or another not just as a wife, not just as a mother. For all of us you gave your best and now the time has come for you to rest. So go in peace, you've earned your sleep, your love in our hearts we'll eternally keep.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.limafamilysantaclara.com for the Barcelos family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17