Maria Candida Oliveira (nee Brito Leite), 89, died on Thursday, June 18, 2026.  Maria was born in Lisbon, Portugal where she lived until her early 30s.  She immigrated to the United States and settled in the Iron Bound Section of Newark in 1967.  She lived there with her family until 2006, when she and her daughters moved into North Arlington.   Maria was a seamstress, starting with making wedding gowns and ending with coats, and her career spanned many years until she retired.  Her passion was gardening, cooking, and sewing for her family and friends. Her hands were her tools, the expression of her love.  Animals and children gravitated to her kind and loving spirit and she had a great sense of humor, quietly making people smile around her.  She was the "World's Grandma," nurturing and caring for others, often at her own sacrifice.  Her light was greatly dimmed in recent years and memory diminished, yet being a devout Catholic, she never forgot her prayers and was often with rosary beads in hand, praying.   We are sad she is gone from us, but know for certain that mom is at peace in Heaven, praying to our Blessed Mother Mary. 

Maria is survived by her loving daughters, Ana Oliveira & her husband, Luis Haquia and Irene De Oliveira Patrick & her husband, Brian and by her dear granddaughters, Samantha and Alex Haquia.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation held at the Nazare Memorial Home, Inc., 403 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 10 AM then at 11 AM, a funeral service will be held.  Interment to follow, Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.  You may express condolences to Maria's family by using our tribute wall.