It is with profound sadness that we share that our beloved mother passed away peacefully at Gosnell Memorial Hospice in Scarborough on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Ludovina Tavares was born in Nabais, Portugal on November 11, 1933 to José da Fonseca and Malvina Figeiredo.
Our mother’s true love came into her life at a very young age. Our dad lived close by so they grew up as neighborly childhood friends and inevitably fell in love by the time our mother was a young teenager. Their marriage in 1954 started what turned out to be a most loving and beautiful relationship. They raised their two boys in Portugal until 1971. Vina and Adelino then left a turbulent political climate behind. Making a bold decision, they decided to move to America in search of a better life and became proud US citizens in 1976. They came to live with family in South Portland, Maine. Six years later in 1977, they added to their family and had their daughter, Elizabeth.
Vina began working in a factory fabricating children’s clothing in Portland shortly after arriving to the US. Unable to speak English, Vina decided to join our father and be his teammate working as a seamstress at the Men’s Shop in Westbrook. Side by side, they worked hard and moved successfully through life adjusting to the language change and American customs. When the Men’s Shop closed, they opened their own tailor shop at home. They quickly became admired by their friends and South Portland neighbors as not only the best tailors around, but the kindest and hardest working couple. She was the rock of his whole world, and the inspiration of his whole existence.
Vina was a loving and dedicated mother to Francisco, Armando and Elizabeth. She instilled in us strong values, work ethic and tenacity that have served us well over the years. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. She especially loved her role as Grammy. Not only was she an amazing nurturer, she kept an immaculate house, especially the kitchen where she was an avid baker and cook, eager to use the bounty of her garden as a focus to her meals. A farm girl at heart, gardening, bird watching and tending to her amazing flowers were Vina’s true passions. She will be deeply and sorely missed by our entire family. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone she interacted with throughout her life.
Our family would like to extend our gratitude to all our mom’s surgeons, doctors, nurses, caregivers, CNAs (YOU LADIES ARE THE BEST HUMANS ON THIS PLANET) for their incredible kindness and dedication to helping mom get better over the years. We would also like to thank the team of caregivers and nurses at Gosnell Hospice.
Vina is survived by her devoted husband, Adelino Tavares, her brother in Portugal José Da Fonseca, son Francisco and wife Debbie Tavares, son Armando and wife Melissa Tavares, daughter Elizabeth, grandchildren Christina and her husband Chris Milliard, Carlos Tavares, Emily and her husband Tanner Wright, Shelby Tavares, and great-grandson Owen Wright.
A private graveside service will be held at Highland Memorial Cemetery in South Portland.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com