Cecilia Castelao

NAUGATUCK - Cecilia Pereira Castelao of Naugatuck, a caring and loving mother, passed away at home, surrounded by her family at the age of 46 on Friday, Feb. 26, 2010.

Ms. Castelao was born in Farrio, Freixianda, Portugal, a daughter of Emilia Conceicao Pereira of Farrio, Portugal and the late Joaquim Pereira.

She is survived by her two daughters, Mariana Castelao and Ana Rita Castelao, both of Naugatuck, and their father, Vitor Castelao of Naugatuck. She leaves her sisters, Manuela Esmenio, Natalia Marques, and Emilia Pereira, all of Portugal, and her three brothers, Antonio Pereira and his wife, Connie, of Prospect and Vasco Pereira and Jose Carlos Pereira, both of Portugal. She also leaves her three nephews, Daniel Pereira, Mark Pereira and Steven Pereira, all of Prospect, and several other nieces and nephews of Portugal. She was predeceased by her two brothers, Luis Pereira and Joaquim Pereira of Portugal. She will be sincerely missed by her many loved ones and friends.

Cecilia was a strong and determined woman who will always be a role model and best friend to her two daughters. She enjoyed gardening, spending time outdoors and good times with her family and friends. Cecilia took pleasure in working at the Lutheran Home in Southbury as a CNA and was attending school with hopes of becoming a nurse. Her smile will never be forgotten.

The funeral will be held on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at 9:15 a.m. from the Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home, 26 Waterbury Road, Route 69, Prospect, to Our Lady of Fatima Church, 2071 Baldwin St., Waterbury, for a Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Prospect Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday, March 1, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m.

For more information and online condolences, please log on to www.buckmillerbrothers.com