Marilia Pereira

Marilia "Vovo" Pereira, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on October 1st, 2024, in Delray Beach, Florida, surrounded by her loving family. Born on June 21,1937, to Camilo Pereira and Pedrelina Pereira, Marilia grew up in a close-knit family where she learned the values of kindness, compassion, and hard work. She was born in Buenopolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil, but she moved to New York in 1998 with her daughter Rosemary. She then lived with her daughter and grandaughters in Boca Raton, Florida for 25 years, where she lovingly helped raise her grandchildren, and made beautiful memories with her family to last a lifetime.

Everyone called her “Vovo”, meaning grandmother in Portuguese, because she embraced everyone, family or not. Vovo was the light of any room she walked into, her laughter was infectious, and she found joy in the small things. To know her was to love her. She was a fiercely independent and hardworking woman, who dedicated her life to her family and community. She was a pillar of strength and resilience, always putting others before herself and never hesitating to lend a helping hand to those in need. She filled everyone's lives with love, kindness, happiness, and wisdom. She always had a smile on her face, simply because she counted her blessings, loved her family, and loved life. She loved to cook and made the best Brazilian food around. She loved “Festas Juninas”, (Brazilian celebrations that occurred in June), and had her own Festa Junina to celebrate her 70th birthday amongst family and friends. She loved to dance to all kinds of music, but she especially loved “forro”. She also loved to sing, swim at the beach or pool, and go to the casino. She was always looking forward to her next adventure, and she loved traveling with her family. Throughout her life, she especially loved visiting Italy and Portugal, and she was an avid Walt Disney World park visitor. She didn't miss one ballet performance or music performance, and enthusiastically followed her grandchildren's endeavors.

Vovo had an unwavering faith and dedication to God. Throughout her life, she led by example in love and in faith. She was a member of the Kardecian Spiritist Society of Florida in Deerfield Beach.

Vovo is survived by her two children, Rosemary Monteiro, and Roseli Pereira; her four grandchildren, Fernanda Monteiro, Victoria Monteiro, Barbara Monteiro, and Fernando Silva; her sister, Ieda; and her brothers, Ivan and Anibal. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Fernando De Andrade Joazeiro; her sisters Ione and Analia; and her brothers Milton, Jose, and Nilson.

There will be a memorial service in her hometown of Buenopolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil, at a later date.

Vovo will be remembered for her generous spirit, her love of family and friends, and her commitment to making the world a brighter place, one smile at a time. Her memory will be cherished and her spirit will live on through the countless lives she touched during her time on earth.