Obituary of Julieta Maria Lima

Julieta Maria (Botelho) Lima, 82, of Peabody died peacefully on January 3rd, 2021 at the Sunrise Gardner Park Senior Living facility in Peabody. She was the devoted wife of 60 years to the love of her life, and predeceased spouse, Adventino Orlando Lima. Julieta was born in Feteiras do Sul, Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal on December 30th, 1938. She was the daughter of the late Domingos Botelho and Maria do Amor Divino (Amaral) Botelho. In 1956, Julieta immigrated to the United States and then proudly became a US citizen in 1960. As a lifelong resident of Peabody, Julieta started her career as an employee at Ideal Baby Shoe in Beverly, then moved to retail as a cashier for the Ann & Hope Department Store in Danvers. Her bilingual abilities became a desirable attribute that transitioned her career to support the greater Peabody Portuguese community as a bilingual Teachers’ aide at the Thomas Carroll School in Peabody, then as a Nurse’s aide for Dr. Von Weiss Dermatology in Salem, as a Teller and translator at the Warren Five Cents Savings Bank in Peabody, and finishing her career by helping many in the Portuguese community dealing with the loss of their loved ones, in an administrative role for the Conway Cahill Brodeur Funeral home in Peabody. Julieta was a very kind and caring soul whose world revolved around being a loving, nurturing mother and always treating everyone like extended family. Julieta’s smile was contagious and her poems/song writing/singing were enjoyed at various events and impromptu gatherings. A lifetime of community engagement, including ten years as master of ceremonies and/or President of the Amigos das Feteiras do Sul, which allowed those that immigrated from Sao Miguel the opportunity to socialize and raise funds for Portuguese community scholarship funds. Julieta was a devout parishioner, choir member, parish council member, and active supporter of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Peabody, and a former Board of Directors Secretary for the Brotherhood of the Holy Ghost of Peabody. She came from a family that truly believed in the importance of education and became involved as Secretary for PAFHE (Portuguese Americans for Higher Education) and always exhibited her passionate commitment to continuing education for her family and the community. In June 2004, Julieta was the recipient of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Portuguese Heritage Award “in recognition of the many contributions which have made our society a better place to live”. Julieta and her husband enjoyed retirement at their winter home in St. Petersburg, Florida where she loved the simple things in life and continued her social interactions with family and friends at weekly shuffleboard games and many other activities. She touched the lives of so many people in the community and her extended family, all blessed to have been part of her life; she will be sorely missed. Julieta is survived by her children, Orlando Lima and his wife Paula of Danvers, Victor Lima and his fiancé Debbie Deminna of Windham NH, Carol Bettencourt and her husband Mario of Peabody, her grandchildren, Michael Lima and his wife Alyssa of Groveland; Nicholas and Alyssa Bettencourt of Peabody; Kendra Maltais, her husband Daniel and great grandchild Emmarie of Royalston. She is also survived by her brothers-in-law: Valentim DeLima and his wife Urbina, Joseph Lima and his wife Lillian, and Basil Lima; her sisters-in law: Maria Avila and her husband Manuel, Fatima Lima and Orlanda Lima, and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by all her siblings and their respective husbands; Maria da Luz Aguiar, Albertina Medeiros, Gabriella Cunha, Gilda Medeiros, Luiza Silva, and Maria da Lourdes (Delores) Luiz; also, her brothers-in-law the late Ulysses, Aristedes, Manuel and Ermojenes Lima. Julieta’s family would like to thank the staff at Sunrise Gardner Park Senior Living facility in Peabody, as well as the medical and hospice staff at Care Dimensions in Danvers for their outstanding care and compassion. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, a private family Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Peabody with a burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Our Lady of Fatima Church, 50 Walsh Ave., Peabody, MA 01960 in her memory.