Maria Cecilia Mendonca passed away on November 5, 2025 at the age of 92.  She was born on March 8, 1933 in Lajes, Flores, Azores, Portugal to Jose Antonio and Maria Vieira Goncalves. On November 20, 1954 she married Ernesto Mendonca. Cecilia immigrated to the United States, arriving in Arcata on October 31, 1957. In 1962 they welcomed their daughter, Maria Gorette. 

Cecilia worked at Lazio’s as a fish processor.  After her husband passed away in 1968 she started working at Feuerwerkers Furniture Store, which is now Hensels Ace Hardware.  She then went to work for Coast Oyster Company as a oyster shucker, a job she did for 15 years. After retiring from Coast Oyster she worked for herself as a house cleaner.

Cecilia’s favorite pastime was taking care of her vegetable and flower gardens and taking care of her grandchildren.  She loved picking them up at school, taking them to sporting events, and spoiling them with chocolate donuts every Saturday morning.

Cecilia enjoyed being a part of the Arcata Portuguese and Catholic communities, often helping in the kitchen at Portuguese Hall Events and various church fundraisers. One of her favorite things to do was make filhos (Portuguese donuts), especially for Halloween night for all to enjoy.

Those who knew Cecilia will remember her kind heart and caring personality.  She was always there to help family or a friend in need, whether is was taking them to the grocery store, a doctors’s appointment or simply keeping them company with conversation. Cecilia had a great sense of humor.  Her knack for a well timed joke and ability to make someone laugh with a silly gesture, brought joy to those around her.

She leaves behind her daughter, Maria Gorette Coelho (husband Lucio), grandson Casey Coelho (Lacey), granddaughter Brooke Coelho (Hayden), great grandsons Bennett and Calvin Coelho, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cecilia was preceded in death by her husband, Ernesto Mendonca, her parents, brothers Luis, Antonio, Jose and Mauricio Goncalves, and numerous sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-law.

Her family would like to thank Granada Rehabilitiion for their exceptional care in the last six years. Rosary and mass will be on Thursday, November 13 at 11 a.m. at St Mary’s Church in Arcata.