Lucille Souza, 85

Lucille Souza, age 85, passed away on Sept. 23, 2021, at Creekside Inn Memory Care in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. She had suffered the last few years from Alzheimer's.

She was born on Feb. 4, 1936, in Hanford, Calif., to Manuel and Mary Faria from Pico, in the Azores Islands. She grew up in Visalia, Calif., where she met and married her husband, Joseph Anthony Souza in 1955. They moved to Santa Cruz, Calif., in 1957 with their first child. In 1973, with their 10 children, they moved to Hayden, Idaho. Mom loved caring for her children and always had a home-cooked meal for them. She also enjoyed both flower and vegetable gardening. Mom especially loved the grandchildren and made many of them crocheted afghans when they were born. In 1985 Dad retired and he and mom traveled in their 5th wheel travel trailer. Of course, a grandchild or two went along with them.

Lucille is survived by her children Linda (David) Leitz of Spokane, Wash., Patricia (Randy) Lewis of Rockford, Wash., Joseph Souza, Jr. of Post Falls, Idaho, Mary Souza of Post Falls, Idaho, David (Jackie) Souza of Hamilton, Mont., Carol (Jeff) Tobin of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Kenneth Souza of Spokane, Wash., John (Catherine) Souza of Post Falls, Idaho, Jeanette McDonough, of Athol, and Raymond Souza of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She had 38 grandchildren and 52 great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her brother, Clarence Faria of Visalia, Calif., sister-in-law Vera Faria of Visalia, Calif., sister-in-law Mary Souza of Hollister, Calif. and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Manuel and Mary Faria, brother Eddie Faria, sisters-in-law Pat Faria and Mary Mattos, and brother-in-law Joaquin Souza.

The family would like to thank Creekside Inn Memory Care for the compassionate care that Mom received over the last several years.

Visitation and rosary will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 6, at Bell Tower Funeral Home, 3398 E. Jenalan Ave., Post Falls, Idaho. A Requiem mass will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 7, at Immaculate Conception Church. Burial will follow the funeral service at St. Thomas Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.