Maria Da Estrela Cordeiro Cimbron Mendes passed away on August 9, 2022 at The Dawn Hill Home in Bristol. She was born on January 31, 1936 in Santa Cruz, Lagoa, Sao Miguel, Azores. Estrela was the daughter of the late Manuel Cordeiro Cimbron and Maria Da Paixao Cabral and the wife of the late Leonildo Almeida Mendes.
Estrela was born at a time and place without electricity and when education was not mandatory. As a young woman, Estrela worked in a decorative embroidery home cottage industry and also worked extensively in the local farm fields. In addition, she helped care for her younger siblings. For some unknown reason, Estrela had one leg shorter than the other, but that never stopped her. She was a strong, determined, intelligent, woman who demonstrated the difference between formal education and intelligence. Estrela was frugal and humble, and never forgot her roots, always putting the needs of her family before hers.
She immigrated to the United States in 1975, settling in Bristol with her husband and four children. Like so many other Portuguese immigrants, Estrela worked at the various manufacturing facilities in Bristol County, as one after another relocated elsewhere. She retired in 2001 from RJ Manufacturing. Along with her paying jobs, she ran her household. Estrela learned basic math in order to manage American finances, and she passed her driver’s exams on the first try, despite the lack of a formal education.
Estrela faced multiple adversities in the United States, particularly the tragic death of her daughter Nelia in 1985, and serious injuries to her two younger children in the same accident. Throughout, she handled all struggles with grace, dignity, and courage. Estrela persevered right to the end with amazing strength.
Estrela was the mother of Luis Mendes; Carmen Teixeira and her partner Christopher Lombardi; and Mario Mendes and his partner Betty Kincaid. She was the grandmother of John DeBronzo, Jr. and his wife Brandi; Aaron Teixeira and his wife Martha Boksenbaum; and Ashley Teixeira. Estrela was the great-grandmother of Brayden and Cameron Meagher, Oliver DeBronzo, Aaron Braz, Jr and Benjamin DeBronzo. She was the sister of Maria Pavao, Joao Luis Cimbron, Alzira Martins, Exaltina Tavares, and Maria Do Carmo Costa. Estrela was the mother of the late Nelia DeBronzo and the sister of the late Eduardo Cordeiro, Jose Cimbron, Merces Arruda and Maria De Lurdes Cabral Cordeiro. She was also the former mother in law of John DeBronzo and Arthur Teixeira.
The family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the caring staff of The Dawn Hill Home and HopeHealth Hospice for all of their care and attention.
Family and friends invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, August 12th, 11AM at St. Elizabeth’s Church, 577 Wood Street. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Per Estrela’s request visiting hours are omitted.
Arrangements are with the George C. Lima Funeral Home.
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