Maria would arrive with fresh-cut flowers from her garden (she LOVED flowers!), a jar of home-made tomato sauce or pumpkin jam, Christmas & Easter gifts and tasty treats, a souvenir from Portugal, Cuba or Buffalo, an Engagement gift or a Birthday box of chocolate for our daughter - she was always the Giver - she always had a kind word to say, a helping hand to offer, a smile! When she spoke of her daughter and her son, her eyes lit up with pride - they were everything to her; she was so happy that Carla and her husband had been able to buy their own home, and that Carla had married into such a loving family, and she was so proud of Roberto and all his accomplishments in both his personal and work life! When she spoke of Oscar, she always said what a dedicated and good man he was, such a hard worker and a supportive life partner! She would say that her greatest blessing was her family! Maria was a beautiful woman, inside and out, a real Angel, and we know in our hearts that she is in a lovely and peaceful place now. We will all miss Maria; we can only hope that beautiful memories will help to comfort all of us.