Luzia Guadalupe (Sousa) Picanco, 95, a longtime Lowell resident, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her daughter’s home in Dracut. She was the widow of the late Manuel C. Picanco who passed away in October of 2013 after over 65 years of marriage.
Luzia was born on July 29, 1928 in Graciosa, Azores, Portugal. A daughter of the late Altamiro de Sousa and the late Maria Julia (Vieira) de Sousa, she was raised and educated on the island of Graciosa. She came to the United States in November 3, 1977, initially settling in Lowell’s Back Central Neighborhood before making her lifelong home on Lawrence Street in Lowell.
She was a longtime communicant of St. Anthony’s Church and was a member of the Blues and the Holy Ghost.
Luzia loved watching bullfights, crocheting and enjoyed watching her telenovelas. She was a quiet woman who loved her family and dedicated her life to caring for those she loved. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Additonally, she was the lifelong caretaker of her beloved daughter, Maria Gorreti, who passed away in March 3, 2014.
She is survived by her 2 daughters, Agueda Rombeiro and her husband, Heli, of Dracut, Filomena Dias and her husband, Daniel, of Lowell, her grandchildren, Edward Manuel Rombeiro of Dracut, Mark P. Rombeiro of Merrimack, NH, Jimmy S. Dias of Lowell and Jessica S. Dias of Lowell, her great grandchildren, Marcus J. Rombeiro, Alexis S. Rombeiro and Sophie M. Rombeiro all of Merrimack, NH and Damien A. and Hailey T. Bristow both of Lowell and many cousins and several nieces and nephews.
She is also survived by her brother, Luis de Sousa and his wife, Celina, of Chelmsford, many cousins and nieces and nephews.
She was the Mother of the late Maria Goretti and was also predeceased by several brothers.
You are invited to her visitation from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Monday at the MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816.
Her Funeral Mass will be offered at ST. ANTHONY’S CHURCH, 893 Central Street, Lowell at 12 p.m following the visitation. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery.