Maria Carmela Lopes Costa passed away peacefully at Hospice House in Eureka on January 11, 2017 at the age of 90 from complications of liver failure. 

Maria was born on August 2, 1926 in Saõ Jorge, Azores to Alta Reis Lopes and Manuel Sousa Lopes. In 1947, Maria married Luiz Costa and immigrated to America in 1948. Maria and Luiz first settled in Massachusetts, later moving to the San Joaquin Valley where they resided in several small towns before finally making their way to Rio Dell. Maria and Luiz resided in Rio Dell, where they raised their four children, for over 30 years. When Luiz became ill and was moved to a convalescent home, Maria moved to Fortuna and resided there until 1999, then moved to Eureka.

Maria was blessed with many good friends, many of whom were considered family.  She was known for her giving nature.  She was an excellent seamstress and cook and could often be found making quilts and doing alterations for friends and family, or knitting and croqueting afghans, scarves, slippers, or wash clothes that she gave to almost everyone she interacted with.  Her Portuguese Sweet Bread was shared with many as well — with her neighbors, friends, priest, doctors and physical therapists. When she was hospitalized at St. Joseph’s Hospital once, the first thing she did when feeling better was to make a batch of her bread to be taken to nurses and staff there.  Family was everything to Maria and she had great pride in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and delighted in watching them play and grow.

In the early years, Maria was a member of St. Patrick’s Church in Scotia, then St. Joseph’s in Fortuna, and later she belonged to Sacred Heart Church in Eureka.

Maria was preceded in death by her husband, Luiz Costa, son, Manuel Costa, sisters Madalena Mendes, Maria Martins and her brothers Manuel Lopes and Justino Lopes.

She is survived by her three children, Lou Costa (Dora), Maria F Costa of Antelope (formerly Eureka), and Linda Costa of Eureka; grandchildren Brandon Costa of Fortuna, Monica Smith of Manteca, David Costa (Natalie) of Boulder Creek, Calif., Michael Weschke of Ferndale and Angela Bryson-Costa of Antelope (formerly Eureka); great-grandchildren Hayden Smith, Avery Smith and Azarias Bryson as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and many good and close friends.

Maria’s family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Jennifer Heidman, Pace Social Workers, and all the staff at Hospice House of Humboldt for their kind and loving care of our mother and grandmother.

Visitation will be held at Gobles Fortuna Mortuary on Tuesday January 17, 2017 from 2 to 5 p.m. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Church in Fortuna on Wednesday January 18, 2017, 11 a.m., with Father Thomas Dias officiating.  Concluding services will be at Sunrise Cemetery in Fortuna with a reception following at 2292 Newburg Rd, Fortuna.

In lieu of flowers, Maria has asked that a mass of intention be said in her name or contributions be made in her name to the Hospice of Humboldt. 

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The obituary above was submitted by Maria Costa’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.