Alzira Fernandes Machado

Alzira Fernandes Machado, 83, of Ludlow, MA died peacefully in Vermont in the company of her family on the early morning hours of 1/14/12.  She was born in Portugal on 11/12/28, the daughter of the late Albano Borges Fernandes and Laura Araujo.  In 1946 she married the love of her life, the late Joaquim Machado.  Together they emigrated to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where they raised their children.  In 1974, Alzira emigrated to the United States with her daughter Teresa (Machado) Palatino, followed shortly by her husband.   It was Alzira's greatest joy to once again live near her mother, three siblings and their children.  In this  country her family was the recipient of her strength, courage and unconditional love.  Here she learned to speak English, drive a car, and  became an american citizen.  Her first job outside of her home was at Ludlow Hospital, where she worked until her retirement. In her spare time she loved to garden, crochet, sew, to take walks and to cook delicious meals for her family.  She was a woman of great faith, and never wavered through life's tribulations.  As a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, she attended mass weekly.  Even at the end of her journey with Dementia disease, you could hear her recite the "Hail Mary" prayer. Her last breath was after her daughter and niece Claudia finished praying her favorite prayer.

 

She is survived by her children, Albano Machado and his wife Edileuza of Ludlow, MA, Henrique Machado of Brazil, and Teresa(Terry) Palatino and her husband Fernando (Fred) of Grand Isle, VT; her beloved grandchildren Adrian Palatino, Alan & Alex Machado, Cinara Machado, Claudia Machado Howell, Meagan Palatino, Monica Machado, Pedro Henrique Machado, and step-granddaughter Cleide Fernandes; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews;  and sister Maria Freitas and her husband Ireneu of Ludlow, MA, brothers Abilio Borges and his wife Albana of Ludlow, and Joaquim Fernandes and his wife Maria of Ludlow.  

 

Our mom will be remembered as a sweet natured, giving and kind woman whose smile lit up so many lives.  She modeled behaviors that inspired and touched so many people. She will forever be in our hearts.

 

The family wishes to thank Dr. Zail Barry and the staff at PACE VT, and the nursing staff at Birchwood's A-wing for their amazing care and compassion. A very special thanks to our aunt Albana Borges,  daughter-in-law Edileuza, and grand-daughter Cinara for their devotion and love in helping care for our mom the past couple of years.  

 

Funeral services are on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, at 8 am from Ludlow Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 9 am in Our Lady of Fatima Church in Ludlow, MA with burial to follow at Island Pond Cemetery in Ludlow.

 

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 18, from 4-7pm at Ludlow Funeral Home, Ludlow, MA.  

 

If you wish, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Fatima Church, towards the meals program for the elderly;  Heifer International,  or to the Alzheimer's unit charitable

 

fund created by and attention to Barbara Klein at Birchwood Terrace, 43 Starr Farm Rd, Burlington, VT  05401 for the upkeep of the lovely gardens she designed with the help ofvolunteers, for the safe enjoyment of outdoors  space for the residents of A-1 wing. 

 

Online @ www.ludlowfuneralhome.com