Maria F. Cruz

Maria Ferreira Cruz, 97 Lakeland " Maria Ferreira Cruz, 97, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 2, 2013. Maria was born May 20, 1915, in Penedo, Brazil to Antonio and Cecilia Cruz. Maria was the first born daughter in the family which consisted of fourteen children. She married Wilson Tavares Correia in 1939, and after living in different parts of Brazil, they settled down in Rio de Janeiro where they raised their daughter, Wilma Carrillo. Maria was artistically inclined and enjoyed painting fabric and creating needlepoint tapestries. Maria loved adventure and enjoyed many travel excursions throughout Europe and South America. She was a devout Catholic and a member of the Order of the Sisters of St. Francis. She had many friends and loved to have fun and laugh. After her daughter moved to the United States, Maria took every opportunity available to travel back and forth from Rio to visit her grandchildren, while continuing her travels to many parts of the world. Maria is survived by her daughter, Wlima Carrillo and son-in-law, Luis E. Carrillo, four grandchildren, Luis Eduardo Carrillo (Patricia), Carlos Carrillo, Claudia Hamilton (Jeff), and Sandra Campisi (Sal), six great grandchildren, Everett and Olivia Hamilton, Sal and Grace Campisi, and Thomas and Isabel Carrillo. In addition she is survived by her sister, Cecilia Cruz of Fortaleza, Brazil, her niece, Aspasia Jones, and her nephew, Pericles Gama Filho. A memorial service will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801 with reception to follow in the Heath Tribute Center. In lieu of flowers, donations in Maria""s name may be made to the Alzheimer""s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10001. Service: 03/05/2013 Heath Funeral Chapel 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801