Maria de Lurdes Sousa

Maria de Lurdes Sousa, 67, went to be with the Lord on October 1, 2021. Born in Santa Maria, Azores, she was the daughter of the late Jose Maria and Evangelina Sousa. In 1966, at the age of 12, Maria immigrated with her family to the United States and settled in East Hartford, Connecticut. Maria met the love of her life, Antonio (Tony) while in grade school and they married on July 27, 1974. For 47 years, they built a wonderful life of love, commitment, faith and devotion. Maria worked at Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company; then for many years, she owned and operated an overhead door business, along with her husband. After selling the business in 2005, Maria served as Director of Religious Education at St. Christopher’s Church in East Hartford, where she was also a long time communicant. The most treasured things in her life were her faith, family and friends. Maria prayed the rosary daily. She was a woman of incredible strength and beauty that we greatly admired and constantly learned from. She cared for others selflessly, she gave to others generously and she loved everyone equally. She has been our guide, our protector, our inspiration and most importantly, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and dear friend. For those of us who were lucky enough to have been touched by her spirit, she will always hold a special place in our hearts. She will now be able to watch over her family and friends and give them the peace that can only be given from above. Among those who will miss her the most are her husband, Antonio (Tony) Sousa, Jr. Her daughter, Sandra Bonfiglio and husband Joe of St. Augustine, Florida. Her sisters, Aida Estanislau (Ramiro) of Newington, CT and Tracy Bonvisuto (Don) of Wethersfield, CT; brothers Arthur Sousa (Patricia) of Wallingford, CT and Tony Sousa (Penelope) of Cat Island, Bahamas. The pride and joy of her life, her grandchildren – Nicholas, Kaitlyn and Alexander. As well as her beloved aunts and uncles, sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews (living and predeceased). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated and live streamed at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at St. Anastasia Catholic Church with Father Jared D’Leo officiating. Those unable to attend, can view the service live streamed at https://saccfl.org/about/im-new/mass-schedule/. A visitation, beginning at 10:00 a.m. will precede the service at the church. Entombment will follow at Craig Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, October 30th at 10:00 a.m. A coffee hour and gathering will precede the mass at 9:00 a.m.at St. Edmund Campion Church (St. Christopher’s Church) in East Hartford, Connecticut. Donations in Maria’s memory can be made to: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. St. Johns Family Funeral Home in St. Augustine, Florida is in charge of arrangements.

Maria de Lurdes Sousa

June 18, 1954 - October 1, 2021