Antonia Costa Camara
February 16, 1928 - February 26, 2016

Antonia Camara, a long time resident of Los Banos, entered peacefully into eternal rest in the presence of her family on February 25, 2016 in San Jose, California at the age of 88. She was born on February 16, 1928 in Capelas, Sao Miguel, Acores. She married Antonio Bertoldo da
Camara on January 25, 1945 and migrated to the United States in 1960. Antonia is preceded in
death by her parents, Manuel and Maria da Costa Benevides; two brothers and one sister,
Manuel, Francisco , and Maria; her hunsband, Antonio B. Camara; and two daughters, Isabel and Maria.Antonia is survived by her sister, Ilda Silva; two step brothers and one step sister, Gilberto, Octavio and Maria; her children Tony Camara (Chris), Joe Camara (Sylvina), Ana Isabel
Dimsey, Mariana Bertoldo (Tom), Irene Camara, Pasty Marques (Joe), and Manuel Camara
(Christine). She also leaves behind her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, cousins and
numerous nephews and nieces. Antonia was a devout Catholic who prayed unceasingly. Every
opportunity she had, she would recite the rosary and watch the Mass on EWTN. Many times she
would have conversations with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren about faith,
living honest lives, and making good choices guided by our Lord. Antonia loved to sing fado and
dance o balho furado in her youth and young adult years. She would often sing the songs of her
youth to her adult children and grandchildren. Antonia started working at a very young age. She
harvested tea leaves and worked at home in the garden. She loved taking care of her flowers
and fruit trees, especially her roses and oranges. She also worked as a housekeeper and
caregiver for many years and a short order cook for Carlos Villa Restaurant. Antonia spent many years helping with clean-up, especially washing and drying dishes and utensils, at the Portuguese festas at the DES Hall. She was also a long time member of the Our Lady of Fatima Society.
Antonia enjoyed going to the casinos and playing the machines, playing sueca (cards) with her friends and family, and knitting in her younger years. She especially loved cooking and she always had tea and masa sevada (sweetbread) ready for family or friends who came to visit. Antonia’s greatest joy was bringing her family together for meals and spending time together.
We will remember her smile, her warmth, her energy and her love for God, family, and friends.
She will be in our hearts forever.
A Rosary will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 beginning at 9:30 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, mass will follow at 10:00 am. Burial will be at Los Banos District Cemetery. Services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Chapel~ Los Banos.

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