Mary Agnes Souza (Rocha) was born November 9, 1924, in Lemoore, California, to Maria and João Rocha, immigrant parents from Terceira in the Azores Islands of Portugal. She was the fourth of nine children and the eldest daughter. She helped on the Rocha family dairy, where she learned her love for homemaking and gardening, until she met her beloved future husband, Joaquin Souza. They were married at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Clovis, California, in 1947, and went on to raise eight children, later welcoming five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Growing up, Mary was deeply involved in the Portuguese community and was crowned queen of the Stratford IDES in 1939. During the war years, she contributed to the home front by packing fruit for American GIs. After marrying and moving to Santa Cruz, she became an active member of the Santa Cruz CPDES and served as the secretary for the Hollister IDES Portuguese Societies. Mary was a master of the domestic arts, approaching homemaking with immense skill and creativity. An exceptional, inventive seamstress, she crafted costumes for the San Benito Stage Company and spent a lifetime sewing for others. Her culinary talents were extraordinary; she was a gifted baker—known especially for her traditional Portuguese sweet bread—and every year until her passing, transformed the local harvest into cherished jams, fruit pies, and canned peaches. Her dedication to her craft and her community never waned; up until her final days at the age of 101, she was still actively sewing comforting bears for the Hazel Hawkins Auxiliary and doll clothes for CASA.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joaquin Souza; her children, Loretta and Joaquin Jr.; and her siblings, Manuel, Seraphim, John, Amelia, Frank, Joe, Tony, and Lourdes.

She is survived by her children, Rose Mary Souza, Mary Ann Souza, Geralyn Souza (Donald Hoffman), Amelia Souza-Hatcher (Steven), Al Souza (Phyllis Nakano), and Michael Souza (Deborah); her grandchildren, Melissa Hoffman, Benjamin Hatcher (Val), Ryan Hatcher, Gabriel (Peyton) Hatcher, and Danny Souza (Laura); and her five great-grandchildren, Joaquin Nunez, Noemi Nunez, Cayetano Nunez, Scarlett Souza, and Mira Souza.

Services will be held on Thursday, July 16th, at Immaculate Conception Church in Tres Pinos, California. The Rosary will begin at 10:30 am, followed by the funeral Mass and a reception. A private interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Santa Cruz, California. If desired, remembrances in lieu of flowers may be made to the Hazel Hawkins Hospital Auxiliary, CASA of San Benito County, or Emmaus House.