Obituary of Maria Da Graca Pires

Maria Da Graca Esteves Coelho Pires, age 97, of Bridgeport, beloved wife of the late Joao Pires, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 23, 2022 with her family by her side. Born on September 22, 1925 in Gralhos, Montalegre, Portugal, she was a daughter of the late Acacio Justino Esteves Coelho and Albertina Fernandes. Maria immigrated to the United States in 1968 and settled in Bridgeport with her family.

She was a loving and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The memories they created and the unconditional love she gave will forever live in the hearts of all who loved her.

Survivors include her four loving daughters, Maria Cruz and her husband Jose, Elisa Rainho and her husband Cesar, Tina Pedreira and her husband Joe and Ana Maria Gabriel and her husband David, nine cherished grandchildren, Michael Cruz, Jonathan Cruz (Vanessa), Danny Rainho (Diana), Nicole Pedreira, Jaime Judge (Ed), Josh Pedreira, Brian Gabriel (Giuliana), Justin Rainho (Daisy) and Jon-Michael Pedreira, 12 great grandchildren, Victoria, Emma, Augie, Tyler, Mackenzie, Gabriella, Noah, Ethan, Austin, Jacob, Raegan and Sofia, a sister Eliza Teixeira, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Gloria Rua and brothers, Domingos and Joao Coelho.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Fatima Church, 429 Huntington Rd., Bridgeport. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Relatives and friends can greet the family on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull.