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Umbelina M. Oliverira
Dec 22, 1948 May 9, 2015
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Umbelina Marie Oliveira died on the morning of Saturday, May 9, 2015, at her home after a battle with cancer.  She was sixty-six years old.

Umbelina was the oldest of six children.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Antonio and Maria Machado, and her sister, Anna Maria.  She is survived by siblings Gloria Rodrigues , Elizabeth Ferreira, Anthony Machado, and Rita Machado.  Umbelina also leaves behind her three loving children, Joseph Oliveira, James Oliveira (Jaime), and Jenice Paniagua (Francisco), and her six grandchildren, Michael (18), Micaela (14), Samantha (7), Allison (6), Isabella (6), and Kate (2), all of Oakdale.  

Umbelina was born on the island of Terceira in the Azores.  She became an American citizen while a student at Oakdale High School.  

In 1970, Umbelina met the love of her life, Joe Oliveira.  They were both employees at the Banquet Foods factory in Turlock.  Joe needed an interpreter.  Umbelina acted as his interpreter and they were married nine months later.  They remained devoted husband and wife until Joe’s death in 2012.  Joe and Umbelina were farmers.  They started a dairy farm in 1974 and later planted almond trees.

Umbelina gave her time to organizations such as the Soroptimist International of Oakdale (serving as President in 2003-2004) and Y.L.I. Oakdale.  She taught Catechism at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oakdale for twenty-five years.  In 1986, she worked alongside her husband as he served as the President of the Festa do Espirito Santo in Oakdale.

Umbelina was most in her element during holiday family gatherings, which were always held at her home.  Several days of preparation culminated with the serving of a perfectly timed and deliciously cooked meal.  Umbelina was not satisfied with making merely one entrée and a few sides.  She typically prepared so many dishes that her guests were faced with difficult decisions when loading their plates.  During the holidays, Umbelina made dozens of loaves of her well-known Portuguese sweet bread for her friends and family.

Umbelina loved nothing more than to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren.  She would rearrange her schedule to babysit them and she would count down the days until she was able to be with them.  Her love for her deceased husband served as an inspiration to others.

There will be a Rosary at Oakdale Memorial Chapel at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2015.  A Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oakdale at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2015.  Burial will be at Burwood Cemetery in Escalon.  A reception will follow at the Oakdale F.E.S. Hall.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Soroptimist International of Oakdale (P.O. Box 2, Oakdale, CA 95361), the Oakdale F.E.S. (P.O. Box 709, Oakdale, CA 95361) or Y.L.I. Helping Hands (P.O. Box 970, Oakdale, CA 95361).