Maria das Merces Barcelos Borges, better know by "Merces" or "Barcelinhas" was born in Terceira, Azores where she met her husband of 60 years, Antonio Borges in grade school.
In the Azores she was a devoted, kind and loving stay at home housewife and mother to her 3 children, Henriquinho, Fatinha and Ana Maria. She also enjoyed being around her chickens, rabbits, dog and birds, knitting and crocheting while watching her favorite Portuguese novela. She made beautiful gifts for all of us to always remember her. She also loved baking and made some delicious desserts and meals.
In 1981 after the passing of her mother and brother she came to the United States along with husband and now teenage children. She worked for about 13 years at Hasbro assembling toys until her retirement. She continued to pursue her love for knitting , crocheting and baking here and her love for animals. She always had a bird or two - her latest one, “Pipi” still lives. She had a dog Klondike that was great company to her but unfortunately passed away a few years ago leaving her heart broken.
During her morning routine, after, feeding her bird she would always go outside and feed the squirrels and birds in the yard. The neighborhood birds and squirrels would already be waiting for her. She made sure that everyone and every animal was taken are of. When visiting us she would always bring treats for our dogs. She was kind and loving to all.
On the last months of her life, we could feel she was satisfied with the life that she had and did not want to continue going on with doctor's visits, medications, not being able to do everything that she once could. She was not in control of her life anymore and did not want to live this way. It was not how she wanted to be remembered. In her last hours, she was at peace, where she wanted to be, with her family by her side and not alone in the hospital. She knew, we were there for her and she knew we would not let her die alone. I her final hours she still was focused on her family asking if her husband had eaten and was okay. She was still being his wife and our mom worrying about everyone else.
Everyone loved her because she was a peaceful calm woman, even while laying in her bed holding our hands, it felt like she was just going to sleep. She could now go see Jesus. It was his birthday and she did not want to miss the party! Now that she's passed we hope she gets to see her brother and her mother to reminisce about life.
She leaves behind her loving husband, 3 children, 5 grandkids and 2 great grandchildren.