1
tree
planted in memory of Maria Celicina "Celina" (Teixeira) Varandas
Obituary for Maria Celicina "Celina" (Teixeira) Varandas
Maria Celicina “Celina” (Teixeira) Varandas, 88, of Ludlow passed away peacefully on May 28, 2024 surrounded by her loving children and granddaughters. Maria was born in Oura, Chaves, Portugal on July 21, 1935 to the late Maria Amelia Carvalho Teixeira and Manuel Teixeira and was the youngest of three sisters, the late Maria Aurea (Pires) and Maria Otilia (Correia). Maria married José Alberto Varandas in 1958 and was a loving and devoted wife until his death in 2016. Later in 1958, Maria became a mother; her two eldest children, Maria José (Gonçalves, José Marques, of Ludlow) and Paulo Manuel (Maria Emilia Correia, of Ludlow) were born in Oura. In 1960, Maria and her two young children immigrated to Beira, Mozambique, after month-long boat journey, to reunite with her husband. Her youngest son, Rui Manuel (partner Susanne Davis, Glastonbury CT), was born in Beira, where the family lived until 1974. They then immigrated again, with the generous sponsorship of José’s sister and brother in law, Maria Augusta and Joaquim Salvador, to Ludlow, Massachusetts. After arriving in the U.S., Maria worked for many years in textiles at the Nixon Company.
Maria had a strong work ethic and a “can-do” attitude. She was a natural hostess, talented chef and baker, and top-notch gardener, in addition to sewing, knitting, and crocheting. Her biggest motivation in these pursuits was to care for those she loved—her husband, children, granddaughters, and their families. She was the matriarch of the family, making every holiday and occasion special, caring for those who needed it without question, and providing unwavering guidance and wisdom. Maria enjoyed music, dancing, shopping, and television, especially telenovelas. She was a devout Catholic and faithful communicant of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Ludlow.
Maria was a loving grandmother to Lisa Lavin (Timothy Lavin) of Dorchester MA, Jacqueline Goncalves of Los Angeles CA, Briana Goncalves (fiancé Jonathan Martone) of Cape Coral FL, Katherine Varandas (Samuel Denton-Schneider) of New York NY, and Kimberly Adoptante (Izaiha Adoptante) of Hampden MA, and an adoring great grandmother to Eleanor and Theodore Lavin, Max Denton-Varandas, Madison Dorval, and Liliana Adoptante. She also leaves behind the children and grandchildren of her children’s spouses and partners: Amanda Bryant (Theodore) and children Theodore Junior and Alexandra, Ana Pereira and son Tomás, Claudia Pereira, and Benjamin and Alexander Kochenburger; nieces and nephews in Portugal Dulce Pereira, Sandra Pires, Jorge Correia, and Ismael, Paulo, and Luisa Ferreira and the U.S., Diane St. Peter and Joe Salvador; and many dear friends including Isabel João, Benta Almeida, Luisa Almeida, Isabel Ribeiro, and Cacilda Juliano.
Maria’s family would like to thank the staff of Vantage Nursing Home in Wilbraham for their care and compassion over the past 6 years.
Funeral services for Maria will be held on Friday, May 31st. Visiting hours are from 8:15-9:15am at Ludlow Funeral Home with Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00am at Our Lady of Fatima Parish followed by burial at Island Pond Cemetery.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
31
May
8:15 AM
- 9:15 AM
Ludlow Funeral Home
432 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Funeral Liturgy
Friday
31
May
10:00 AM
Our Lady of Fatima Parish
438 Winsor Street
Ludlow, MA 01056
Cemetery Details
Location
Island Pond Cemetery
499 Center Street
Ludlow, Ma 01056
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