Green Animals' Mary and George Mendonca Die, Leaving Legacy of Family, Friends and Horticulture

Mary T. (Carriero) Mendonca, 93, and George A. Mendonca, 101, of Cory's Lane, Portsmouth, died Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011, and Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011, at Newport Hospital, Newport.

Mrs. Mendonca was born in Portsmouth on Aug. 21, 1917, and was the daughter of the late Jose and Mary (Pimental) Carreiro, one of five children. Mary Mendonca was very active in St. Anthony's Parish.

She was an avid seamstress and a very accomplished gardener, winning many awards for her flowers and gardens. She was a life member of the Newport Preservation Society, where she volunteered regularly. She was also a member of the Newport Horticulture Society, an Honorary Member of the Portsmouth Garden Club and a member of the Portsmouth Grange.

Her father, Jose Carreiro, is credited for creating the in Portsmouth. This fanciful environment further influenced her creativity and imagination. Her husband George continued the grooming of Green Animals and added his mystique.

She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother and will be sorely missed by her family and friends. Mr. Mendonca was born in Newport on Dec. 29, 1909, and was the son of the late Francisco L. and Mary (Perry) Mendonca and was one of nine children.

George, an accomplished horticulturist and topiary artist, continued his father-in-law's work and increased the number of animals on the farm. George was active in the community and was a life member of the Horticultural Society of Newport, an honorary consultant to the Portsmouth Garden Club. For many years, Mary and her husband were active in the Portsmouth Grange.

His work, trials and travails were chronicled in the Sony Pictures film, Fast, Cheap and Out of Control, produced and directed by Errol Morris, as it depicted the struggles of four men who confronted nature.

He relaxed using his imagination combing the shores of Narragansett Bay, doing creative carpentry of his finds, which included rebuilding a half of a boat that washed ashore. He loved fishing and hunting. George Mendonca was a quietly loving father, friend and guide to family and acquaintances.

They are survived by their sons, Gregory W. Mendonca of North Andover, MA, G. Leonard Mendonca of Portsmouth, and Paul E. Mendonca of Wenham, MA; her brother, Adolph B Carreiro of Lovell, ME; his sister Virginia Mendonca of Portsmouth; their grandchildren, John L. Mendonca, Michol J Mendonca, Jason Mendonca, Kelly A. Mendonca, Brian Mendonca, and Kevin Mendonca, and their great-grandchildren, Alexandra Botohello, Teddy and Jeston Mendonca.

Their calling hours will be held on Friday, Feb. 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the , 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI.

Their funeral will be held on Saturday, Feb. 12, at 9 a.m., from the Connor's Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Anthony's Church, 2836 East Main Road, Portsmouth.

Burial will be in Portsmouth Cemetery in Portsmouth.

In lieu of flowers, donations in their memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Services of Newport and Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.

Obituary from Connors (Memorial) Funeral Home. For more information, see. www.memorialfuneralhome.com.