Maria A. (deBettencourt) Bettencourt died Jan. 5.

Born in Oak Bluffs on June 28, 1948 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, she was the daughter of Antone J. deBettencourt and Gloria (Coutinho) deBettencourt.

Maria graduated from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in 1966, continuing on to the Cape Cod School of Practical Nursing. After graduating in 1968, she began work at the Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester and then at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, while having her five children. After nursing she worked as the “lunch lady” at the regional high school, and also helped her mother and Aunt Mary Dias clean houses. Her home was a way station for many of her children’s friends, who all loved her treats and her delicious food.

The best times for Maria were in her home surrounded by family and friends, the old days at the bowling alley in Vineyard Haven (where she met her husband in 1968), Motown music, gardening, her Koi pond, her Catholic faith, girls’ night, martini Saturdays and traveling, especially to Italy with her sister Gloria. She also loved her annual trips to St. Maarten with Auntie Sissy, reading her book on the beach in the mornings, sitting on the balcony enjoying her meal. Just living the good life. Maria will be deeply missed, loved and always remembered.

She is survived by her husband Michael and their five children: Michael 2nd, Eric, Mathew, Elizabeth and Kellie; five grandchildren; brothers Antone (Tony) deBettencourt and Manuel (Manny) deBettencourt, sister Gloria deBettencourt, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at St. Augustine’s Church in Vineyard Haven on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at the Westside Cemetery in Edgartown and a celebration of life at the P.A. Club from 1 to 3 p.m.

Donations can be sent to the Island Autism Group, P.O. Box 278 Edgartown, MA 02539.

For online guestbook and information please visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com.