Obituary of Maria do Carmo da Pedra Madeira Carroca

Maria do Carmo da Pedra Madeira Carroca, 81, beloved wife of Manuel Carroca of Peabody, died unexpectedly at her home on Tuesday April 22, 2014. Born in Vila Franca do Campo, St. Miguel, Azores, Portugal, she was the daughter of the late Jose Jacinto Madeira and Maria da Gloria Bento. She lived there 44 years, and came to the United States in 1976, settling in Peabody where she lived the last 38 years. Mrs. Carroca enjoyed being at home in her nurturing role as housewife, mother, and grandmother. She was a faithfully devoted parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Peabody. She supported the Holy Ghost Society in Peabody. She was naturally gifted doing crochet, and gardening in which her favorite was growing red roses. She was most passionate about spending time with her family, especially her cherished grandchildren. She was a good cook which was good for her family as she taught her values that big meals and family gatherings are important in life. She was always full of life and joy, as well as having a strong, independent spirit for living. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Manuel Carroca of Peabody, with whom she shared 57 years of marriage; three daughters and a son, Maria & her husband Alberto Travassos of Peabody, Joana & her husband Antonio Alberto Camelo of Toronto, Canada, Joao & his wife Maria Carroca of Dracut, and Ana & her husband Carlos Cardoso of Port St. Lucie, FL, and the late Jose Eduardo Carroca; 10 grandchildren, Peter & Gorettie Camelo of Milton, Canada, Stephanie & Wayne Thompson of Peabody, Ryan Travassos & his partner Lucia of Danvers, Gary & Katie Camelo of Toronto, Canada, Jeannie Travassos of Port St. Lucie, FL, Carlos Cardoso of Port St. Lucie, FL, Jonathan Carroca of Dracut, Melissa Cardoso of Port St. Lucie, FL, Shawn Cardoso of Port St. Lucie, FL, and Joshua Carroca of Dracut; 7 great-grandchildren, Fabian Lasalle of Port St. Lucie, FL, Nathan Camelo and Marcus Camelo both of Milton, Canada, Sofia Thompson of Peabody, Antonio Lasalle of Port St. Lucie, FL, Andrew Travassos and Rylee Travassos both of Danvers, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death, besides her son and parents, by brother & sisters Jose Bento Medeira, Filomena Costa, and Joana Duque. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather on Saturday April 26, 2014 at 8 A.M. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, followed by a Funeral Mass at 9 AM in Our Lady of Fatima Church, Peabody. A visitation will be held on Friday from 4 – 8 P.M. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Expressions of sympathy may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.