Isilda Rodrigues Costa

Isilda Rodrigues Costa was born in Silveira Lajes do Pico in the Azores, the 11th of 13 children. Her beloved parents were Maria Conceicao Rodrigues and Manuel Rodrigues Vargas. She wed Manuel Leal Costa in 1941 and had 4 children in Pico before moving to California where she would have 3 more. Isilda worked at the Gangi Brothers Cannery canning tomatoes, before hemming and sewing for a living. She had a passion for crocheting – especially blankets for every family member – and loved tending to her roses, fruit trees, and vegetable garden in the back yard. She enjoyed spending weekends with the entire family, cooking fish and traditional Portuguese dishes for a full table and fuller house. She became a US citizen in 1996 along with her brother Mateus and was excited to vote in the next election.

Isilda is survived by her children Maria (Kenneth) Lindenmuth, Margaret (Mike) Walke, Manuel (Robin) Costa, Sandra (Bob) Woo, Rosie (Robert) Thompson, and Fernanda (Ken) Wilson. She was predeceased by her husband Manuel and daughter Lorraine (Mel) Dutra. Isilda also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

The Visitation will be held Thursday, August 3rd at 5pm followed by the Rosary at 7pm at The Lima Family Mortuary on Winchester Blvd. The Funeral Mass will be held Friday, August 4th 10am at St. Clare’s Church.

Arrangements under the direction of Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, Santa Clara, CA.