Mary Alice Cabral, born October 22, 1918, was the oldest child of four to Mr. and Mrs. Manuel R. and Maria R. Silva. She was born in the Historic Cota Adobe on Rancho Santa Rosa on Mail Road, off Highway 246 between Lompoc and Buellton. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Peter Albert Cabral, her brothers Frank Silva, Manuel Silva, and her sister Elveira (Lustik) Silva. If you knew her, you knew how she would tip her head to the side, smile, and say "I'm the oldest and the shortest."

Living on this earth for 102 years gives a person the opportunity to see and experience many things. As a teenager, Mary drove a school bus over country backroads to bring her classmates to and from school. She worked the fields driving teams of horses pulling field equipment and working on the farm. She spent many years working and making friends at Moore's Department Store, where she and her granddaughters participated in many Moore's Fashion Shows, as well as working at Braun's Pharmacy and Stalker's Clothing Store – all while raising her two sons, Alvin and Eddie Cabral.

Mary came from a large Portuguese family, and she took pride in being a part of the Portuguese community in any possible way. The most mentionable would be that she was the Secretary/Treasurer for several Portuguese Lodges for 75 years and finally retired from PFSA Council #99 – and as the story goes, her mother was the previous Secretary/Treasurer and as a young girl, Mary did the task for her. She was the caretaker to the Festa Crown – holding on to it for many, many years, keeping it safe and clean and ready for each Portuguese Queen. Mary herself was crowned queen in 2016 and wore the same cape her granddaughter wore before her and her niece before that.

Faith was of huge importance to Mary and her family. She was a devout Catholic. She never missed a Mass, and if she absolutely had to, she would watch it on TV in her robe and slippers. Mary was in charge of the La Purisima Church Bazaar Bake Booth for many years; she baked many delicious sweets and helped raise money for the church. She and her family did all they could for the church over the years.

Mary had a big and generous heart. We as her family would say that one of her greatest traits was how she always put others before herself. She took care of her husband for many years and then took care of both her ailing parents until they passed. She then worked as an In-Home Healthcare Assistant to the elderly for several years.

She was loved by all who knew her, especially her family. We think that she was the greatest mother and grandmother of all time. She loved to spoil her grandchildren with fresh-baked Chocolate Chip Cookies and Portuguese Sweet Bread. She passed on her love for baking to her granddaughters and now from them to their children. She loved her family, with her entire heart.

Mary is survived by her two sons – Alvin and Eddie (Denise) Cabral; her four granddaughters – Kindra Gomez, Tawnee (Michael) Armenta, Keri Dodson and Erin (Danny) Moran; her six great-grandchildren – Tausiena (Roman) Gomez-Santos, Incio Gomez, Kenzie Dodson, Mason and Mattix Armenta, and Brooklyn Moran; and by her two great-great-granddaughters – Athena and Ophelia Santos.

She cherished all of her nieces and nephews and loved how close they all were to her. Mary was loved by so many, and she will never be forgotten in the memories of her large Portuguese family and all their friends.

We love you so much. You are our sunshine, "Bununna."

Due to COVID-19, services will be held at a later date.