Mary Margaret Bertao was born in Los Banos, on May 7,1924 to Joe I and Mariana (Martins) Cotta. The family moved to a dairy farm on Denton Rd in Dos Palos in 1929. She helped on the dairy by milking cows by hand and helping her mother with domestic chores. Mary attended local schools and graduated from Dos Palos High School in 1942.
During WW 2 Mary worked at Eagle Field, a primary Army Air Corps training base. She married Tony Bertao on May 18,1946 establishing their home on his father’s dairy. Son Bob was born in 1947. The family moved, house included, to a ranch they purchased on Mint Rd in 1949. Son Jim was born in October of 1953 and the family lived at this location until 1978. Mary and Tony then moved into a new home on her father’s original property.
The family took cross-country vacations to see the USA in their Pontiacs until the boys were on their own. After semi-retirement Mary and Tony enjoyed trips to the Azores, Portugal, and other destinations. They also enjoyed taking cruises when driving or flying got harder for them. Tony passed away in 2008 and Mary then stayed closer to home. Mary enjoyed farm life especially cooking Sunday and holiday dinners. Mary tended to her yard and garden, which was her passion, until the age of 96 years. She then supervised the gardener with a watchful eye, until past the age of 100. Mary passed away on August 24th at the age of 101.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband Tony, parents Joe and Mariana Cotta, and brother Daniel Cotta. She is survived by sons Bob and his wife Maria and Jim and his wife Cathy, granddaughters Elizabeth Porter and husband Justin, and Victoria Lara. There are six great grandchildren, Benjamin and Isiah Porter, and Anamaria, Eliza, Dominic, and Levi Lara.
Mary participated in church and fraternal organizations including the Dos Palos D E S Association, Our Lady of Fatima Society, Sacred Heart Church Altar Society, Portuguese Fraternal Society of America, and the Luso American Fraternal Federation.
The family would like to thank the caregivers who worked tireless hours caring for Mary. Elaine Garcia, Hope Cambra, Ernestine Alacon, Irene Valencia, Magda Oros, and Minerva Garcia. A special thanks to her loyal gardener and yard man Jose Dimas Rodriquez.
Funeral services for Mary will be Friday, September 5 th at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1650 Lucerne Ave, Dos Palos. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am, recitation of the Holy Rosary at 10:00 am, and Mass at 10:30 am. Burial will be at the Dos Palos District Cemetery.
Remembrances in Mary’s honor can be made to the Dos Palos D E S Association, P O Box 293, Dos Palos, CA 93620 or to the Sacred Heart Church Parish Improvement Fund, 1650 Lucerne Ave, Dos Palos, CA 93620.
