Maria Cota Obituary

Maria Auriema Cota Maria went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 59 on April 20, 2012 at home surrounded by her family. Maria was born to Jose Augusto and Maria Leonia Augusto on April 6, 1953 in Sao Jorge, Azores. Her family moved to Angola, Africa when she was 11 years old. They started a new life there in the country managing their own farm and raising cattle. During her early teenage years, she attended a college boarding school. Once she finished school, she moved to the city and worked as a secretary at a small airport. While in Africa, she met Jorge Cota and was married in August 1976, after she moved to the United States. Maria was a precious and loving mother and grandmother. She loved to garden, cook Portuguese food and to crochet. She cherished moments spent with her three children and eight grandchildren. She was such an example to her family of unconditional love. She is survived by her three children (and spouses) Anna (Kurt) Espinoza, Anthony (Laura) Cota and Michael (Kori-Anne) Cota; eight grandchildren: Rachel, Ruthie and Caleb Espinoza, Lily, Evie and Megan Cota, Colton and Loghan Cota. Maria is also survived by her mother Maria Leonia Augusto, brother Joe Augusto, and sister Fatima Cota and Filomena Almeida. She is preceded in death by Jorge Cota and her father, Jose Augusto. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 27th, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell, Visalia, CA 93277. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Tulare First Baptist Church, 469 Cherry Street, Tulare, CA 93274. Private burial. Condolences may be e-mailed to [email protected]