For 57 years, Alcinda Avila lived life to the fullest. A 30 year resident of Morgan Hill, she was loved and admired by many, her bright spirit constantly inspiring
She was what she appeared to be when you first saw her, full of energy, outgoing, friendly to everyone, even total strangers. She could strike up a conversation with anyone and make them feel instantly at ease, as if they’d known each other for years and years.
She was born to Maria Alcinda Alvernaz Rodrigues on Portugal’s Azores Islands in Cedros, Faial, to Manuel and Filomena Rodrigues. She was one of 13 children. In 1967, she emigrated from the Azores to California. Soon thereafter, she met and married Joe Avila, her husband of 39 years. She gave birth to the first of three daughters one year later.
In 1977, the young family of five moved to Morgan Hill. Mrs. Avila spent the next several years tending to her daughters as a stay-at-home mom before she began working part time for Lucky Stores and later, Safeway. In 1989, she and her husband opened a sign and postal shop in Morgan Hill where she was able to meet and get to know many Morgan Hill residents.
She loved her girls and devoted her life to them. She was there to support them as they made their way through Paradise Valley and Martin Murphy Schools, and watched as all of three of her girls graduated from Live Oak High School and then from San Jose State University, two with advanced degrees.
She was overjoyed when she became a grandmother in 2001, showering her precious grandchildren with the same time, patience, and unconditional love she gave to her daughters.
Mrs. Avila had a heart full of love – a heart that was always open and giving. She cherished the ordinary things in life: spending time with her family, cooking, going on “sisters weekend” trips with her five sisters, and loving the outdoors – especially her garden and the ocean. On September 8, she spent the night in Santa Cruz listening to the ocean. The next day, she and her two youngest daughters sat on a hotel balcony and watched her grandchildren, husband and sons-in-law flying a kite on the beach below. She died on September 21, two years and three months after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
She is survived by her husband, Joe Avila; three daughters, Michelle Avila of Norwich, VT, Debbie Avila Stewart of Gilroy and Christy Avila-Nores of Coarsegold, CA; three sons-in-law, Chris Berthold, Doug Stewart and Thomas Nores; and four grandchildren, Carlton and Amelia Berthold, and Anabela and Owen Stewart. She also lives on through her eight siblings and their spouses: Mario and Josefina Rodrigues; Ermelindo and Sally Rodrigues; Lucil and Eric Buell; Noelia Rose Almeida and Carlos Almeida; Odilia and Max Mendoza; Natalia and Tony Silva; Alda and Joe Silveira; and Leo Rodrigues. She was a much-loved aunt to 27 nieces and nephews, and countless cousins and friends who loved her dearly. She was predeceased by her parents, Manuel & Filomena Rodrigues; her oldest sister, Marilia Vieira; her brother, Alvaro Rodrigues, and two brothers who died as babies.
