Mary I. Pires

Mary Iracema Pires (Rocha), 81, of Gustine passed away peacefully in Rocklin, CA on April 7th, 2024. 

Mary was born on May 24th, 1942, to Joao and Maria Rosa Rocha, in Terceira, Azores. Mary immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of 14 and they settled in Northern California. She graduated from Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton, in 1960.  In 1963, she met her one and only love John Pires, at the Portuguese Festa in Gustine. The two were married in April of 1964 and were living in Artesia, CA when they started their family. Mary and John had their first child John Jr., followed by Paul, David, Daniel, and Kathleen.

In 1976, John and Mary moved their family to Hanford, CA and began a 13 year career in the dairy business. Mary worked alongside John on the dairy, helping to feed calves, while tending to their home and caring for their growing family. The family eventually settled in Gustine, CA.

Mary will be remembered fondly for her beautiful smile and unconditional love. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Mary took pride in cooking hearty meals for all who entered her home and spent her time crocheting beautiful blankets for her loved ones. She loved to watch sports and always had the game on during football and baseball season.

Mary was preceded in death by her youngest son Daniel, her loving husband John, and her parents Joao and Maria Rosa Rocha. She is survived by her children John Pires of Gustine, Paul Pires (Rachel) of Los Banos, David Pires (Kelle) of Turlock, Kathleen Brown (Greg) of Rocklin, her grandchildren John, Taylor, Logan, Macie, Haley, Danielle, Devyn, and Dalton, brothers John (Doralice) Rocha and Amancio (Paula) Rocha, and sisters Francis Sousa and Zita Meneses (Januario), along with numerous nieces and nephews.

 Services for Mary Iracema Pires will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024, with a rosary at 10 am, followed by a Catholic Mass at 10:30 am, at St. Brigid Catholic Church – 1001 N. Douty Street, in Hanford, CA. A graveside burial will immediately follow at the Tulare Public Cemetery, at 900 E. Kern Avenue, in Tulare, CA.

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