Edith Carmen (Henrique) Codinha, 89, a resident of Provincetown for most of her adult life, died December 30 at Seashore Point following a long illness. Wife of the late fishing Captain Seraphine P. Codinha, Mrs. Codinha was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Following World War II, Mrs. Codinha, who had ties to Provincetown as a child, moved back from California while she awaited her husband’s discharge from the Navy and the birth of their first child. Capt. Codinha, who had been a tuna fisherman in California prior to World War II, eventually acquired his trawler, the F/V Peter and Linda, which he named for his children. The couple was extremely well known in the community for their generosity, especially for activities involving St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church; their commitment to the annual Blessing of the Fleet, where Edith made hundreds of lobster salad sandwiches; and for their faithfulness in following all of their children's and grandchildren's school activities, including leading both a Blue Bird group and a Boy Scout troop when her children were young. When Capt. Codinha retired from fishing, the couple owned and operated Codinha's Yogurt Shop for over twenty years, the site of the present day Cafe Maria.
The Henriques, Edith’s parents, had known Seraphine’s family in Gloucester when the Codinha family rented an apartment from the then Edith Henrique's grandmother, Joaquina Emilia. Eventually both families moved to San Diego, California where tuna fishing was extremely lucrative. It was there that the 16 year old Edith and the 21 year old Seraphine were re-acquainted, fell in love and married. They honeymooned by train from California to Gloucester and Provincetown. When Seraphine’s tuna boat was commandeered by the U.S. Navy, he enlisted and Edith travelled wherever he was stationed until he was sent overseas.
Seraphine, with 5 brothers and 2 sisters became very close to his brother Joaquin (Joe), wife Paula and children who lived in Magnolia, Mass. while the rest of the Codinha family lived in San Diego, CA. They travelled and spent a great deal of time together and with each others’ friends. Many a tale has been told of their infamous Christmas gatherings with 25-30 friends and relatives. Raw oysters where shucked one for the plate and two for Seraphine. Loud discussions between the fishermen and the fish merchants in the families and lots of laughter from the kitchen where the women prepared the turkey and last night’s leftover Codfish Head delicacy for Joe Codinha made for a memorable time for all. Edith spent the month of December baking the traditional Portuguese desserts often with the help of the whole family and Paula Codinha, also a wonderful cook, would bring many of her home-made special treats.
Never one to seek the limelight, Edith was the ultimate volunteer and supporter. She dedicated herself to her family, caring for her parents and her husband in their final illnesses. When her husband passed away in 1986, she spent a great deal of time with Marion Thomas, her aunt, Paula Codinha and Lou Labrincha, her sister-in-laws, a family friend Luana Klabunde and her daughter Linda Codinha O'Brien who all shared her love of travel and gambling. Foxwoods and Reno were frequent destinations.
Born April 24, 1924 in Gloucester to the late Portuguese immigrants Manuel and Mary Emilia Henrique, Edith is survived by her son Seraphine P. Codinha, Jr., his wife Mary and her daughter Linda Codinha O'Brien, all of Provincetown; her granddaughter Kara Codinha of Brookline and her grandson Seraphine P. Codinha, III and his wife Autumn of Glen Ellyn, IL; her great-grandson Seraphine P. Codinha, IV and her great-granddaughters Kenley and Bridie, also of Glen Ellyn; her brother Manuel Henrique, Jr. of San Diego, CA; her aunt Marion Thomas of Rochester, MA; her sister-in-law Phyllis Henrique of Summerville, SC; her nieces and nephew; Nancy Frietsch Laurie Silveria and Robert Henrique of San Diego; Valerie Blackwood of Summerville, SC; Vanessa Fenner of S. Dennis, MA. along with many other nieces and nephews; and Mary-Jo and Susan Avellar, who spent much of their time growing up in the Codinha home. Edith was pre-deceased by her brother Vincent Henrique, his son Vincent Henrique, Jr., her uncle’s Frank Parsons and Henry Passion; her aunt Frances Ramos, her sister-in-law May Henrique and her son-in-law Robert “O’Bie” O'Brien.
Family and friends are invited to call at the Gately Funeral Home, 94 Harry Kemp Way, Provincetown on January 3rrd from 4 to 6 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, January 4th at noon at St. Peter the Apostle Church, Prince St, Provincetown. Burial will follow at St. Peters Cemetery.
Donations in Mrs. Codinha's memory may be made to the Provincetown Rescue Squad, PO Box 109, Provincetown, MA 02657 or the American Heart Association, 396 Main St, Suite 15, Hyannis, MA 02601.