Ermelinda "Linda" (Fernandes) Joao

Ermelinda “Linda” (Fernandes) Joao, 83, of Granby, passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Born September 2, 1940 in Secerigo, Portugal, she was the daughter of the late Alvaro and Gertrudes Fernandes. Linda immigrated to the U. S. in 1952 and grew up in Chicopee. She was proud to become a U.S. citizen in 1960. She attended night school and became an accomplished seamstress, which became not only her career, but one of her favorite pastimes. She retired from working in 1993 to help raise her grandchildren. Linda had a strong work ethic, passion for life and a never quit attitude, which she demonstrated to her family during her illness. She and her husband Antonio enjoyed spending their winters in Florida and summers at their home in Granby alongside her family. However, some of her greatest pleasures were camping with her grandchildren near the Newport, RI beaches, as well as fishing and golfing. Linda loved tending to her flower and vegetable gardens at home in Granby and was a loving Vovo (Grandma), passing on her love for sewing and cooking to her granddaughters. Most of all, she sincerely loved spending time with her family, especially her great-grandchildren and she always looked forward to hosting special events and holidays when the family could be together to enjoy her Portugues cooking.

She will be missed dearly by her family. Linda leaves her loving children Paulo Joao and his wife Ana Maria and her daughter Suzana Magalhaes and her husband Luis; beloved grandchildren Stephanie Sousa and her husband Frank, Amanda and Alexander Joao and her great-grandchildren Sophia and Conor. She also leaves her brother Jose Fernandes, several special godchildren, nieces and nephews. Sadly, she was predeceased by her husband of 62 years Antonio Joao in January, 2023 and her brothers Antonio, Joao, Amandio and Bento Fernandes and her sister Ana Roxo.

Linda’s family would like to give special a special thanks to her niece Rosa Fernandes for the wonderful care she provided for Linda and Antonio during their illnesses.

Visiting hours for Linda will be Wednesday, July 31, 2024 from 8:30-10:15 AM at the Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home, 64 Sewall St., Ludlow, MA followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in Our Lady of Fatima Church. Burial will be in Island Pond Cemetery. Donations in Linda’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 330 Whitney Ave, # 420, Holyoke, MA 01040.