Amelia DeOliveira

Beloved mother and grandmother, Amelia De Oliveira, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2011, surrounded by her family. Amelia was born July 31, 1918 in Faial, Azores, the youngest daughter of Antonio and Maria Vargas. Growing up, she never had many things, but she had her music and dancing. She loved to play her guitar and sing for all to hear. She married Jose Rosa in July of 1936. Together they had only one daughter, Maria. Tragically, an illness took Jose’s life in 1941. She then raised her daughter as a single mother. In 1960, Amelia and her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter immigrated to the United States, after a volcano had left the island severely damaged. Once moving to California, she became very comfortable with her new life, and very accustomed to the American way, although she never spoke fluent English. She loved celebrating her heritage with dancing the chamarita (Portuguese folk dance) and playing folk music on her guitar. She entertained family and friends alike for Portuguese festas, holidays, and family gatherings. She especially loved when everyone would sing along and enjoy the music with her. The love she had for her guitar and music is what helped her so much in the last few years, while she suffered from dementia. In October of 1973, Amelia married Ildefonso De Oliveira, whom she shared the last 37 years of her life with. Together they would dance the night away at festas, or play the guitar and violin together. With her new marriage to Ildefonso, she gained three new daughters, and a son, as well as several grandchildren. Through the years, she enjoyed watching their family grow, and loved to welcome new grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren. Amelia and Ildefonso lived in California until 1998, when they decided to move to Twin Falls, and be closer to family. They loved living in Idaho, and made the most of their final years. Amelia leaves behind her daughter, Maria (Humberto) Luis, of Twin Falls, her step-daughters Maria (Manuel) Azevedo, Orlanda (Junior) Goulart, and Deolinda (Joao) Moniz, all of the Azores, and a step-son, Manuel (MaryLou) Oliveira, of California. Her grandchildren Mary Faria, Gorette Bertao, Linda Luis, and Lester Luis of Twin Falls, Kristie Barnes, Abbie Souza, Joao Azevedo, and Artur Azevedo, from California, Olivia Tavaros, Anice Rodrigues, Orlando Goulart, Amilcar Goulart, Nuno Goulart, Christiano Moniz, and Anabel Moniz, all of the Azores and Portugal, great-grandchildren Steven Faria, Kevin Faria, Brian Faria, and Joseph Bertao all of Twin Falls, Milton Azevedo, Kevin Azevedo, Annabelle Azevedo, Juliette Souza, William Souza, Jacqueline Souza, and Audrey Barnes of California, and great-great-grandchildren Jacklyn Faria of Twin Falls, Samuel and Allison Azevedo of California, as well as fourteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild in the Azores. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, and all of her siblings. A rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 10, at Rosenau Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 11 at St. Edward’s Catholic Church. Internment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Family and friends are encouraged to share their memories at www.rosenaufuneralhome.com