Mary S. Caires

She was born to the late Joseph and Lucy Volta, September 3, 1933, in Santa Cruz, Madeira, Portugal.

She married the late Joseph Caires in 1955. Mary is survived by her four children: Therese (Frank) Rodrigues, of Minden, NV; Renee (Tim) Osentowski, of Sunnyvale, CA; Mark (Deborah) Caires of Kernersville, NC; and Karen Grissom (Marco Da Silva) of Santa Clara, CA. She is also survived by her seven wonderful grandchildren, whom she loved and cherished so much: Sean, Sarah, Alyssa, Nick, Lily, Joey & Matthew. She is also survived by her brother, Lee Volta, and many nieces and nephews.

Mary was a woman of great faith, and prayed faithfully to the Lord, and all of her favorite saints. She was especially dedicated to Our Lady and recited the rosary daily. Her niece, Vickie, referred to her as a “prayer warrior”. Before she became homebound, she would attend Mass at St. Justin’s, as well as St. Lawrence the Martyr in Santa Clara, and occasionally St. Cyprian’s in Sunnyvale and the Santa Clara Mission Church.

Mary came to this country in 1946 with her mother, and three brothers (Joe, Victor and Lee). They made the journey from Madeira all the way to California to reunite with her father who arrived in 1940. She graduated from Santa Clara High School. She picked prunes and apricots during her school years; it was very hard work, and later worked at Stokely Van Camp cannery and packing house in San Jose. She worked at a few jobs before and after having children, most notably at Lockheed Missiles and Space Co in Sunnyvale as an administrative assistant; then at Mervyn’s as a sales associate where she retired after 16 years.

Mary loved to travel and see new places. Some of her favorite trips were to New England, Victoria BC Canada, Maui, Madeira and Lisbon Portugal, Alaska (on a cruise) & the Canadian Maritime Provinces (on a cruise). Family camping trips to Lake Siskiyou, Pinecrest, Pismo Beach, and Yosemite were also favorite places to spend time with friends and family. Mary loved spending time with her family at get-togethers, and meals celebrating holidays, birthdays, and other family milestones. She loved to cook (& eat!). Family meals were always made better by all of the love she poured into the dishes she made. And no one ever left the table hungry!

For our mom's celebration of life on Tuesday, June 27th, we ask attendees to wear your favorite color (floral and/or rose colors preferred). Let's all be bright flowers like mom's roses that she so enjoyed in her yard!