Obituary: Lucia Mendes, 90, Of Bethel

Information and Photo Courtesy Green Funeral Home

BETHEL, CT — Lucia Mendes, of Bethel, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2022, at the age of 90. Lucia was the wife of the late Anibal O. Mendes.

Lucia was born in Regua, Portugal on April 26, 1932 to Joao and Benilde Monteiro. She was the youngest of seven children. As a young woman, she worked as a seamstress in Porto, Portugal where she met her future husband, Anibal.

Soon after the birth of their first child, Antonio (Tony), Anibal came to the United States in search of the "American Dream." A few years later, Lucia and Tony joined Anibal in the United States, and they made Harrison, New York their home for over 35 years. During that time, they welcomed their daughter, Marilyn.

Lucia’s passions revolved around cooking and sewing but most importantly, her two children – Tony and Marilyn. Lucia was a stay-at-home mom who loved to dote on her two children (and later grandchildren) and would often make clothes not only for herself but for Tony and Marilyn as well. She never gave up her passion for sewing or cooking. Lucia loved to cook for her family and often worried that everyone was "too skinny" – and wasn’t shy about letting them know! "Eat more" was a common phrase in the Mendes household! Anyone who tried Lucia’s cooking often hoped for an invitation back for more!

Lucia moved back to Portugal in 1995 after Anibal retired. After many back and forth visits to the United States, Anibal’s failing health brought them both back to the US to live with her daughter, son-in-law Barry, and grandson, Kevin, in Bethel.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her son, Tony, in 1993 and her husband Anibal in 2018.

Lucia is survived by her devoted family: daughter, Marilyn Wood and her husband, Barry, of Bethel. Her grandchildren: Kevin Wood, Cailin Greene, Corinn Mendes, and Michael Mendes. Her great-grandchildren: Landon and Chloe Greene.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at St. Mary's Church in Bethel. Interment will follow in Greenwood-Union Cemetery, Rye, New York.
Friends will be received from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. on Monday, July 18, 2022, at Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury.

In lieu of flowers, consider offering a Mass at St. Mary Church, 24 Dodgingtown Road, Bethel, CT 06801 Flowers or plants, however, are always appreciated!