Maria "Mary" Ida Rebelo passed away on March 30, 2008, due to natural causes. She was 88 years old. She joins her beloved husband, John G. Rebelo, to whom she was married for thirty-seven years. Mary was born October 31, 1919, in Paul do Mar, Madeira Island, Portugal. She immigrated to the United States in 1931 with her parents, António and María Francisco, at the age of eleven. They sailed on the vessel Providence arriving in Providence, Rhode Island. Mary grew up in Point Loma and was a graduate of the 1938 class of Point Loma High School. In the same year, she was crowned Queen of the Portuguese Festa and married to her husband, also a Madeira Island native. They were principal owners of the tuna fishing vessel United Victory, which he captained, earning him-along with Mary's father, Antonio Francisco- honors at the Tunaman's Memorial on Shelter Island. Mary was deeply involved with the large community of Portuguese descendants in San Diego and was proud of her memberships in I.D.E.S., UPPEC, and United Portuguese SES.

Mary is survived by her four children, John Jr. and his wife Brenda, David and his wife Karen, daughter Christina, and son Mike; her nine grandchildren, John Rebelo III, Jeffrey Rebelo, Justin Tipp, Max Rebelo, Michael Rebelo, Suzanne Foley, Jacob Rebelo, Nathan Rebelo, and Sara Rebelo; her three great-grand-children, Colin Foley, Paige Rebelo, and Austin Tipp; sister Gabriela Roberts and brother-in-law Bob Roberts; two nephews, Bobby and Richard, and a niece, Susan; and fourteen Godchildren. Mary took great pleasure in spending time with her family, always enjoying having her grandchildren around her. She loved to spend time in her garden and was always so proud of the orchids she grew. She was happiest while traveling, taking road trips in her car and various cruises, and of course never tired of speaking of the beauty of her adored birthplace, Madeira Island. She enjoyed cooking, socializing, and always took great pleasure in an afternoon with her friends. Mary was a kind and generous person with a big heart. As the family matriarch, she will be dearly missed and will remain in all of our hearts forever. May she rest in peace in the heart of our Lord.

Services
A Visitation will be held at 4 -8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2008, at Beardsley-Mitchell Funeral Home, 1818 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 9:45 a.m., Thursday, April 3, 2008, at Saint Agnes Catholic Church, 1140 Evergreen St., San Diego, CA 92106.

Interment will be at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, 4470 Hilltop Dr., San Diego, CA 92102.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Saint Agnes Catholic Church or St. Paul's Senior Homes and Services, 235 Nutmeg Street, San Diego, CA 92103. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the staff and caretakers of St. Paul's John A. McColl Family Health Center for their compassionate and excellent care during her last days.