Maria Merces Nunes passed away on April 11, 2026, at the age of 85, at her daughter’s home, surrounded by her children. She was born on July 6, 1940, in Santo Antão, Topo, São Jorge, Açores, and was a longtime resident of Hilmar, California.
She was a devoted parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Turlock and was steadfast in her faith. Maria was a loving mother and grandmother who found great joy in cooking for her family and tending to her garden. She was known for her patience and enjoyed spending time doing word searches.
She is survived by her daughters, Rosa Nunes of Atwater, California, Elizabeth Avila (John) of Hilmar, California, Julie Pimentel (West) of Galt, California, and Sarah Nunes (Niki Morales) of Hilmar, California; her sons, Manuel Nunes of San Jose, California, and Michael Nunes of Hilmar, California; her brothers, José Silveira (Madalena) of Turlock, California and João Silveira (Maria da Lourdes) of Escalon, California; her sister, Natalia Gonçalves of Orient, South Dakota; her daughter-in-law, Colleen Nunes of Gustine, California; her sister-in-law, Bernadette Silveira of Hilmar, California; her brother-in-law, Reinaldo Nunes (Alice) of Napa, California; her grandchildren, Madison Avila, Antony Avila, Matthew Avila, Andrew Avila, Miley Nunes, Macy Nunes, Lilyanna Pimentel, Laynee Pimentel, Kyla Pimentel, Charlee Pimentel, and Haley Warda, along with numerous godchildren, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, José Rogerio Nunes; her sons, John Paulo Nunes and Steve Joe Nunes; her parents, José and Rosa Silveira; her brothers, Clarence Silveira and Antonio Silveira; and her sister, Esperança Brasil.
A Visitation will be held Monday, April 20, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service, 286 West Main Street, Turlock, California. A Recitation of the Rosary will follow Monday, April 20, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service, 286 West Main Street, Turlock, California.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, ,2602 S. Walnut Road, Turlock, California. A Committal Service will follow Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Turlock Memorial Park, 575 North Soderquist Road, Turlock, California.
Serving as pallbearers are, Manuel Nunes, West Pimentel, John Avila, Antony Avila, Matthew Avila, and Andrew Avila.
Maria will be remembered for her quiet strength, her devotion to her family, and the care she gave so freely throughout her life. May her soul rest in peace.
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Maria Merces Nunes de 85 anos, de Hilmar, California faleceu domingo, dia 11 de abril de 2026, na casa da sua filha. Viveu os seus últimos 33 anos em Hilmar.
A Sra. Nunes nasceu em Santo Antão, Topo, São Jorge, Açores, filha de José e Rosa Silveira.
A Sra. Nunes deixa de luto as suas filhas, Rosa Nunes de Atwater, Califórnia, Elizabeth Avila (John) de Hilmar, Califórnia, Julie Pimentel (West) de Galt, Califórnia, e Sarah Nunes (Niki Morales) de Hilmar, Califórnia; os seus filhos, Manuel Nunes de San Jose, Califórnia, e Michael Nunes de Hilmar, Califórnia; os seus irmãos, José Silveira (Madalena) de Turlock, Califórnia, e João Silveira (Maria da Lourdes) de Escalon, Califórnia; a sua irmã, Natalia Gonçalves de Orient, Dakota do Sul; a sua nora, Colleen Nunes, de Gustine, Califórnia; a sua cunhada, Bernadette Silveira, de Hilmar, Califórnia; e o seu cunhado, Reinaldo Nunes (Alice), de Napa, Califórnia; os seus netos, Madison Avila, Antony Avila, Matthew Avila, Andrew Avila, Miley Nunes, Macy Nunes, Lilyanna Pimentel, Laynee Pimentel, Kyla Pimentel, Charlee Pimentel e Haley Warda, bem como numerosos afilhados, sobrinhos e sobrinhas.
Foi precedida na morte pelo seu esposo, José Rogerio Nunes; pelos seus filhos, John Paulo Nunes e Steve Joe Nunes; pelos seus pais, José e Rosa Silveira; pelo os seus irmãos, Clarence Silveira e Antonio Silveira; e pela sua irmã, Esperança Brasil.
A Sra. Nunes foi paroquiana da Igreja Católica de Nossa Senhora da Assunção em Turlock.
O seu velório será realizado na segunda-feira, dia 20 de abril de 2026, das 5h às 7h, na Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service, 286 West Main Street, Turlock, Califórnia. Seguir-se-á a recitação do terço na segunda-feira, dia 20 de abril de 2026, às 7h da noite, no mesmo local.
A Missa de Corpo Presente será celebrada na terça-feira, dia 21 de abril de 2026, às 12h da tarde, na Igreja Católica de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, 2602 S. Walnut Road, Turlock, Califórnia. Seguindo-se- o serviço de sepultamento cemitério. Turlock Memorial Park, 575 North Soderquist Road, Turlock, Califórnia.
Que a sua alma descanse em paz.
