Lorraine B. Faria, 89, of Escalon, died June 24 at Memorial Medical Center, Modesto.
She was born in Lawrence, Mass., the youngest born to Maria Fernandes and Antonio Vieira Borges. When she was two years old, the family moved to Terceira, Azores, where she grew up.
On Dec. 5, 1942, she married Frank V. Faria. In 1952, she reclaimed her American citizenship and was able to bring her husband and four children to California in 1953.
She and her husband worked on several dairies and in 1958 started their own on a wing and a prayer. Through much hard work and perseverance, their business grew. In 1969 they established their family dairy in Escalon where she continued as a dairy wife, bookkeeper, homemaker and, most of all, a loving mother to her five children.
Mrs. Faria generously supported many organizations and Portuguese festas throughout the state. She enjoyed her travel and casino trips with her husband, but she mostly enjoyed being home gardening, canning jams and jellies, reading, doing word puzzles, crocheting, and watching the 49ers play. There were always fresh homemade cookies at her house for whoever dropped by. She loved the holidays when she was surrounded by her family enjoying huge meals together. She was a kind and gentle soul and will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her sons, Frank B. (Patti) Faria, Tony B. (Debby) Faria; daughters, Fernanda Robinson, Eileen Faria, Dorothy (Krandall) Vandagriff; grandchildren, Christine Fortuny, Jennifer Fife, Natalie Pope, KJ Vandagriff, Joshua Vandagriff, Frank C. Faria, Jacob Faria, Dawn Webster, Makayle Neuvert; and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Frank V. Faria; grandson, Nicholas Faria; and brothers, Alfonse and Frank Borges.
Visitation was held June 30, with a vigil service following at Deegan Funeral Chapel, Escalon. A Mass of Christian Burial was held July 1 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church followed by burial at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.
Deegan Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Escalon Community Ambulance Service, 1480 Ullrey Ave., Escalon 95320.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
July 3, 2013
