It is with great sadness that the family of Maria Amelia Goncalves announces her passing after a long and courageous fight with cancer. Maria, her husband and two daughters immigrated to the United States from Serra de Santo Antonio, Portugal in August of 1966. Maria and her husband have resided in Hartford, Connecticut ever since. She will be forever remembered for her love of gardening, her generous heart, her willingness to always feed one more, and for always extending her hand to those she loved. Maria is survived by her husband of 59 years, Manuel Goncalves, her children Maria (Fernando) Faria of Rocky Hill, Lidia (Joao) Rosa of Hartford, and Antonio (Christina) Goncalves of Annapolis, MD. She will be fondly remembered by her 5 grandchildren, Sonia Betz, Silvia Faria, Kendra Rosa, Jason Rosa, and David Goncalves and by 3 great-grandchildren, Gianna, Caetano, and Mia, who were her life. She is also survived by her sister Capitolina Paixao of Serra de Santo Antonio, Portugal and her brother Joao Rafael of Newington, CT. Maria's family wishes extend their gratitude to the wonderful staff of both Jefferson House and Hartford Hospital for the extraordinary care Maria received throughout her illness but most especially during the last few weeks. The funeral will be Saturday, May 12, 2012, 9 a.m. from the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home 1276 Berlin Tpke. Wethersfield, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, celebrating Maria's life, 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Fatima Church, One Fatima Square, Hartford. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. A viewing will be held on (TODAY) Friday, May 11th from 5:00 - 8:00pm at Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. To share a memory with the family, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com