Olivia Tavares Camara passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 28, 2021. She passed at home, surrounded by all of her children, following a long and beautiful life. Born in Pico da Pedra, São Miguel, Açores, Olivia was the daughter of the late Maria da Luz (Tavares) Aguiar and the late Custodio Simao Aguiar. She was also the younger sister of the late Maria da Conceição, whom she loved dearly.

Olivia married her husband, Hermenegildo Floriano Camara, on March 1, 1947 and they spent 44 years together prior to his passing. She was reunited with him in time to celebrate what would be their 74th wedding anniversary. Hermenegildo loved her deeply, referring to her as "Rainha Santa Isabella"(Queen Saint Isabella) because of her compassionate and generous spirit. They would encourage you to learn the story of St. Isabella of Portugal and her work with the poor.

Olivia was a wonderful and doting mother to her four children, Olga Torres and her husband, Luis, Lidia Rebello and her husband, Manuel, Herman Camara and his wife, Lee, and Teresa de Sousa and her husband, Nelson. She treated her sons-in-law and daughter-in-law as if they were her own. Her children credit their mother for being the "glue" that bonded their family together. Because of her, that bond will remain unbroken. Olivia made it her goal to ensure her children always looked out for one another.

Olivia loved all of her grandchildren with a passion that ran deeply. Christine, Lou, Paul, Mark, Brad, Sara and Philip fiercely returned that love and admiration. It was rare to have a conversation with her where she didn't boast about her grandchildren. They visited and spoke with her regularly and were gathered together with their "Querida Vavó" in the days prior to her passing.

Olivia was blessed to witness the addition of many great-grandchildren, Caitlin, Shannon, Allison, Talya, Nathan, Jacob, Matthew, Christian, Liam, Sebastian, Olivia, Owen, Zachary, Luke and Zoey. She enjoyed nothing more than playing and singing with them as she watched the little ones grow up. They affectionately referred to her as "More Vó" and loved hugging and snuggling with her. In the age of COVID, Olivia became an avid FaceTime user in order to safely stay connected with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Olivia emigrated to the United States in 1967 and became an American citizen shortly afterwards. Although she took great pride in her Portuguese culture, Olivia was also incredibly proud of the fact that she completed her citizenship test in English. She was a very hard worker and was employed as a seamstress for many years. Her handiwork was amazing and she showcased her talents in the beautiful linens, blankets and embroidered clothing she created. Olivia crocheted beautiful sweaters, hats and booties for all of her grandchildren.

Olivia was incredibly intelligent and a talented writer. She had such an eloquent way with words and expressed them with her beautiful handwriting. To receive a handwritten card from her was such a gift to treasure. Her creative talents extended to painting, where she would create unique glass paintings, and to music. She loved to play the guitar, often joining with her friends to sing and share music together. She had so many other interests - she loved to read, keep up with current events, shop and go out to eat, and share stories. She loved to laugh, her eyes twinkling as her whole face lit up with happiness.

Olivia's favorite holiday was Christmas, mostly because of the deep connection to her unwavering faith but also because it gave her another opportunity to gather her family together. It was a guaranteed time of year that each of those blessed to be with her witnessed her deep love for her family. She demonstrated this love through her generosity and her sharing of her delicious soup, biscoitos and homemade massa. It was common for her to give the best of everything to those around her and keep very little for herself.

Olivia was known as the most beautiful woman in her hometown. Her neighbors knew even then that she was an incredible woman inside and out. She was the most captivating soul, always caring so deeply for others. She wanted to help everyone she came across and felt most passionately about helping children and supporting cancer research as that is what ultimately took her beloved husband.

Due to COVID restrictions, Olivia's private funeral was held on Wednesday, March 3rd, with a funeral mass in St. Anthony of Padua Church followed by her committal at St. Patrick Cemetery in Fall River.

Olivia hated for others to spend money on her, so, in her honor, and in lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation in her memory to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude PL, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or Hope Health Visiting Nurse, 6 Blackstone Valley PL, Lincoln, Rhode Island, 02865, the hospice organization that helped Olivia and her family through this time. If you are unable to donate, the family requests that you perform an act of kindness to honor Olivia's memory.

Family members are always grateful for relatives and friends wishing to make in-person expressions of kindness and support. Being unable to do so at this time, all are urged to express sympathy online or by mail. To ensure that said condolences and/or sympathy cards reach the family, please always make sure that submissions online are made directly through the funeral home's website ( www.silvafaria.com ) and not through a third party. Thank you!