Mildred Serpa passed away peacefully on Sept. 23, 2009. She was 92 years old. Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 29 at Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Service in Turlock. A Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. on Sept. 29 at the same location. Mass will start at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 30 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Turlock. Burial will be at Turlock Memorial Park.
Mildred was born and raised in Turlock and graduated from Turlock High School in 1935. In October of 1935, she married Manuel A. Serpa of Hilmar. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary together last October. Manuel passed away the following March. When her children were in school, Mildred spent many hours with the PTA, serving a term as president. She also served as president of the Mothers' Guild of Sacred Heart School in Turlock. She was a member of the Portuguese Society S.P.R.S.I., for which she served as their treasurer for over 50 years. She was a member of YLI St. Patrick's institute #223 in Hilmar, also serving a term as president and as organist. For a time, she taught English as a second language to new residents from Portugal and the Azores who lived in Hilmar. Mildred spent many years as choir director and organist for Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hilmar. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Turlock.
Mildred is survived by her sons, Alan Serpa and his wife, Amelia, of Turlock and Dennis Serpa and his wife, Loretta, of Oakdale; daughter, Barbara LoConte and her husband, Bill, of Brentwood; 11 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Manuel Serpa on March 11, 2006; grandson, Steve Serpa; parents; and bothers and sisters.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Manuel and Mildred Serpa Scholarship fund, c/o Dennis Serpa, 4054 Crow Rd., Oakdale, CA 95361.
Service under the direction of Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Service-Turlock.
Mildred was born and raised in Turlock and graduated from Turlock High School in 1935. In October of 1935, she married Manuel A. Serpa of Hilmar. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary together last October. Manuel passed away the following March. When her children were in school, Mildred spent many hours with the PTA, serving a term as president. She also served as president of the Mothers' Guild of Sacred Heart School in Turlock. She was a member of the Portuguese Society S.P.R.S.I., for which she served as their treasurer for over 50 years. She was a member of YLI St. Patrick's institute #223 in Hilmar, also serving a term as president and as organist. For a time, she taught English as a second language to new residents from Portugal and the Azores who lived in Hilmar. Mildred spent many years as choir director and organist for Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hilmar. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Turlock.
Mildred is survived by her sons, Alan Serpa and his wife, Amelia, of Turlock and Dennis Serpa and his wife, Loretta, of Oakdale; daughter, Barbara LoConte and her husband, Bill, of Brentwood; 11 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Manuel Serpa on March 11, 2006; grandson, Steve Serpa; parents; and bothers and sisters.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Manuel and Mildred Serpa Scholarship fund, c/o Dennis Serpa, 4054 Crow Rd., Oakdale, CA 95361.
Service under the direction of Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Service-Turlock.
