Martha Mendes Dinis, age 86, of Modesto, California passed away at Memorial Medical Center in Modesto, on Monday, February 28, 2022. Martha was born February 19, 1936, in Santa Barbara, Terceira, Açores to Ana do Carmelo Fonseca and Manuel Sousa Mendes.
Martha is survived by her children, Jorge M. Dinis (Lisa) of Modesto, Paul Vas Dinis (Veronica) of Ceres, Rose Dinis Nunes (Joe) of Ceres, her brother Manuel Fonseca Mendes of Terceira, Açores and her sister Ines Fagundes (Manuel) of Toronto, Canada. Martha also leaves behind her ten grandchildren, Scott Nunes (Michelle), Shane Nunes, Jessica Dinis, Chad Nunes, Jacob Dinis, Jordan Dinis, Elijah Vas Dinis, Alexander Vas Dinis, Mia Nunes and Dominic Vas Dinis, along with her four Great Grandchildren, Vitor Nunes, Gianna Nunes, Tiago Nunes and Damien Nunes to honor her memory. Martha is also survived by her nephews and nieces; Ana Fonseca Mendes, Isabel Fonseca Mendes, Maria Ines Mendes Fonseca, Father Helder Cardoso da Fonseca de Sousa Mendes, Administrator of the Diocese of the Azores and Tony Fagundes. Martha is also survived by her Godson, Victor Fonseca Mendes.
Martha was preceded in death by her spouse Manuel Vaz Dinis, her father Manuel Sousa Mendes, her mother Ana do Carmelo Fonseca and her brother João Fonseca Mendes.
Martha was a member of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Turlock, California.
Martha was an amazing and devoted mom: she loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren deeply. Martha also loved to learn. In addition to acquiring her GED, she attended MJC; her favorite class was English Composition. She enjoyed writing short stories, listening to classical music, reading non-fiction, painting and watching Jeopardy. She enjoyed good humor and loved to laugh. She was an accomplished cook and baker, having taken specialty courses in Terceirense pastry baking. In addition to being a supportive mother and grandmother, Martha participated in the Portuguese Prayer Group at Saint Patrick's Escalon, CA. She will be deeply missed by her family.
A visitation for Martha will be held Sunday, March 13, 2022, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service, 286 West Main, Turlock, CA 95380.
A Rosary will occur Sunday, March 13, 2022, at 6:00 PM.
A Funeral Service will occur Monday, March 14, 2022, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church 1200 Lyons Avenue, Turlock, CA 95380.
A Committal Service will occur Monday, March 14, 2022, from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Turlock Memorial Park, 575 North Soderquist Road, Turlock, CA 95380.
Serving as pallbearers are Scott Nunes, Shane Nunes, Chad Nunes, Jordan Dinis, Elijah Vas Dinis and Alexander Vas Dinis.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstnortondiasfunerals.com for the Dinis family.
