Amelia Pereira Quaresma passed away peacefully at home on March 14, 2011 in the care of her loving daughter, Orlanda, and Whidbey Home Health and Hospice, after a progressive decline in health at the age of 92.

Amelia was born April 16, 1918. A native of Pico, Azores, Amelia and her late husband of 40 years, John, immigrated to America, leaving behind a daughter in 1966.

Amelia was a homemaker, raising four children. She later was employed as a supervisor at a tuna cannery, a position which few women held at that time in the Azores. She was instrumental in sending her oldest son to Canada at the age of

18 to avoid a possible draft.

She was a courageous woman during trials with illness and other life challenges. After coming to America, she worked in a cannery in Sunnyvale, Calif. and in the janitorial services. The family lived in San Jose many years. She belonged to various Catholic organizations, enjoyed traveling to Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Holy Land, Fatima and her beloved Pico. She enjoyed visiting with friends and playing cards at Posso.

She moved to Whidbey Island to live with her daughter and son-in-law in 2002. She so loved the beautiful and serene surroundings, including her view of Puget Sound from her balcony and, closer to home, the rabbits and deer right in her back yard.

She enjoyed time together with friends at the senior center and St. Hubert’s parish, where she was known as Amelia of Portugal. She had a kind, welcoming smile along with a compliment to offer that immediately drew you in. Faith and family were her source of strength, and she adored her pets, Barbie and Mocha.

Amelia is the mother of four children, Maria Amelia Pereira (widow) of Pico, Azores, Manuel Quaresma (Mary), John Quaresma (Patty), of San Jose, Calif. and Orlanda Enriquez (Frank) of Whidbey Island. She was “Vavo” (grandma) to

10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, with another two on the way.

She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews throughout the U.S., Canada and Portugal. She was the last survivor of a family of 12.

A small, intimate service was held at St. Hubert Catholic Church on March 17.

A traditional Catholic service was held at Five Wounds Church in San Jose, with her final resting place beside her beloved late husband at Oak Hill Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Amelia’s name to the senior center or Whidbey Home Care and Hospice. Friends and family may view the online obituary and sign the guestbook at www.visserfuneralhome.com.