Teodelinda Maria Rebelo was born on the 14th of June, 1956 in the small village of Fonte do Bastardo on the island of Terceira, Acores in Portugal. Teodelinda entered into eternal life surrounded by her children, grandchildren, brother and sister-in-law on November 11th, 2019. She is preceded in death by her husband of 23 years, Paul V. Rebelo (2001); her granddaughter, Vanessa Thomas of Atwater, California; her parents, Joao da Rocha Jr. and Maria “Noemia” Rocha both of Hilmar, California; her husband’s parents, Paulino Rebelo and Filomena Rebelo and her brother-in-law, Tony Rebelo.
Teodelinda is survived by her 5 children: Steve Rebelo of Hilmar, Adriana Gordin (Justin) of Lodi, Linda Rebelo (Joe) of Turlock, Felomena Thomas (Matthew) of Atwater, and Joao Paul Rebelo of Lodi; her 4 granddaughters: Mackenzie Gordin, Rosalie Thomas, Ryleigh Gordon and Layla Thomas; her 7 siblings: John A. Rocha (Lidia) of Stevinson, David Rocha (Edwina) of Turlock, Bobby Rocha (Fatima) of Hilmar, Helena Rocha of Gilroy, Richard Rocha (Lucy) of Turlock, Belina Feijo (Phil) of Tulare, and Kathy Castro (Shane) of Ripon; Brothers-in-law: Luis Rebelo (Dorothy) of Tulare, Jose Pedro Rebelo (Tracy) of Tulare, Jack Rebelo (Leah) of San Bernardino, and sister-in-law Filomena Paul (Steve) of Iowa, many nephews and nieces, cousins, and aunts.
Teodelina was a devout Catholic, and parishioner of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hilmar. She was a member of Sisters of Saint Isabel, Nossa Senhora dos Milagros, Gustine and Nossa Senhora de Fatima, Turlock. Her life was devoted to her vocation as a loving wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and godmother. She was the caregiver for her father and mother until their deaths. She loved attending festas and bullfights, telling stories about her grandchildren and sharing pictures of them. It was a great joy for her to have family visit her and to explore new places. She loved going to Monterey or Santa Cruz, enjoyed eating out at restaurants, crocheting and watching Portuguese television. She had many plants that she lovingly cared for and Catholic icons at her home. Above all, she loved being with her children and grandchildren. She was good natured and took all the ribbing her brothers would give her, she would bristle at the teasing, but she loved teasing them back. Visiting her daughters at their home and staying over a few days recharged her spirit. She was loved by many and will be missed immensely.
Services for Teodelinda will be on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hilmar, California beginning with Visitation at 9:00 AM, Rosary at 10:00 AM followed by funeral mass and Catholic burial. Services are being provided by Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service (FD504) of Turlock, California.
