Diamantina Delfina Aguiar, fondly known as Tina, passed away at her home on May 13, 2008, at the age of 73. Tina was born in Terceira, Azores Islands on March 5, 1935. She came to this area in 1951 to live with Tony and Mary Marshall on their dairy farm in Grizzly Bluff.

She married Americo Aguiar in 1959 and they made their home in Fortuna. Tina was a very strong, courageous woman. After a disabling stroke, her strong will and independent nature helped her to live her life the way she wanted. Tina was very proud of her Portuguese heritage. She loved their traditions and visited the Azores with her mother and aunt. Just this past weekend Tina attended the Ferndale Holy Ghost Festival. Gardening and beautiful flowers brought her much pleasure, but her main joy in life was her family.

Tina is survived by her daughter, Dianna and her husband Ronny Sauers, son Jeffrey and his wife Sandy Aguiar all of Fortuna, and son Americo Aguiar of Eureka. Also surviving her is a second cousin Mary Marshall of Arcata, who is a special grandmother to her children, her grandchildren, Nichole Sauers, and Alexis and Mariah Aguiar. Tina also leaves her sisters Mary Joan and Bob Vess, Mary Lou and Del Moore all of Eureka, Sisters-in-law Loretta Alexander of Ferndale, Diana Rocha of Eureka, and Albertina Aguiar of Southern California along with numerous nieces and nephews and a godson, Joe Avila of Modesto, Calif.

She was preceded in death by her husband Americo Aguiar in 1988, her parents Francisco Alexandre and Eva Rocha, special grandfather Tony Marshall, brothers Alfred Rocha and Joe Alexandre, a brother-in-law Manuel Aguiar and her stepfather, Joe Rocha.

Friends are invited to the visitation to be held at Goble’s Fortuna Mortuary in Fortuna on Friday, May 16, 2007 from 12-5 p.m. A rosary will follow at the funeral home at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Fortuna, on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 9 a.m. with interment to follow at St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery, Eureka. Her family suggests donations may be made to your favorite charity in her memory. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Goble’s Fortuna Mortuary, Fortuna.