Maria Cecilia Nunes

Maria Cecilia Nunes was born Maria Cecelia Furtado in Sao Miguel, Azores on June 29, 1929, a longtime resident of Laton who in the past 20 years made her home in Hanford, passed away on April 7th, 2024, at the age of 94.  She was the daughter of Maria Ana and Manuel Furtado. Her parents were both from Sao Miguel, Azores and she was the second oldest of eight children. She was proud of her Portuguese heritage, and her beautiful island where she was born, but she was just as proud of being a United States Citizen, which she became in 1968 and could not wait to vote in this year’s election. She was married to Manuel L. Nunes, the love of her life, for 41 years until his passing.

Maria is survived by her four children, son Paulo Jorge Furtado & wife Melodie of Tulare, daughter Gina Pinkham of Hanford, daughter Cindy Rocha Vaz & husband Joey of Laton and daughter Lisa Bogdanovich of Laton. She is survived by 12 Grandchildren, Paul Furtado & wife Jill, Christopher, Lyndsie, Amanda, Katie, Alyssa, Lance, Mitchell, Meeghan, Kelcie, Camaron and Conner and 27 Great Grandchildren and her sister, Fatima Lima.

Maria is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Manuel L. Nunes, brothers, Humbert, Antonio, Manuel, Albert Furtado, her sisters, Adelia and Esmeralda, granddaughter Jennifer and grandson Ross Pinkham, sons-in-law Glenn Pinkham and John Bogdanovich as well as her brother-in-law David Lima.

Maria was close to her God and a devout Catholic, she loved to sing, dance and her daily walks, many people would often see her on her walks which she continued until 2 weeks before her passing. Maria was always accompanied by her loving and caring sister Fatima, after the passing of her husband they were inseparable, sisters and best friends.  In Maria’s last year, Fatima gave her unconditional love and amazing care, which the family is so grateful for. Maria was blessed to live a long, healthy, and beautiful life she loved her God, family and friends.

 A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 4:00pm to 6:00pm and a Rosary will follow at 6:00pm at Whitehurst McNamara Funeral Home in Hanford. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 10:00am at Our Lady of Fatima Church-Shrine in Laton, CA. Following the Mass there will be a graveside burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Laton, CA. 

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