Mary Brazil died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, June 12, 2017 at 8:26 am, her daughter by her side. Mary was just one month shy of her 88th birthday and she now joins her beloved husband, Tony, who parted from us just two months ago.
Born Maria Antonia Bobeda, on July 19, 1928, Mary was the 8th of nine children born to Maria and Antonio Bobeda, immigrants from Spain. She was born during the harvest season, so her mother decided to make the trip back to Watsonville to give birth to Mary at home and then took her right back to the orchards where a wooden fruit box served as her cradle. One standing joke of the family is that Mary learned how to speak Croatian before she learned her native Spanish, as the Croatian pickers would teach her various words while she sat in her box as the family worked. Thus began Mary’s career as a dedicated businesswoman who developed a very strong work ethic. Mary began work as a 4 year old following the various crops in central California. She attended Linscott Elementary School during the offseason and worked diligently to catch up on her studies every year, even during high school. Mary worked very hard in the orchards and canneries and managed to graduate from Watsonville High School in just three years so she could be done with school and enter the work force in business. While at work in the business office at the Pajaronian, Mary met the love of her life, Tony Brazil, and they married in 1953. The couple went on to have a family, during which Mary ambitiously and successfully purchased the Capitol Department Store in downtown Watsonville. Mary, her mother and sister Virginia worked diligently to serve the clothing needs of the community, including many Braceros from Mexico. After a few years, Mary sold her thriving business to her sister Ida and continued to work at the store as general manager and bookkeeper while she cared for her family. Mary went back to work at Central Electric Company when her daughters entered school, then later as bookkeeper at her sister Ida’s store.
Mary finally “retired” after decades of work in retail and then, at the age of 60, decided to enter the world of real estate. She began at Realty World, then completed her successful career with Tri-County Real Estate, helping many first time homebuyers to realize their dreams of owning their own homes.
Mary and Tony enjoyed traveling up and down California in their trailer with their three girls, Kathleen, Denise and Anna Marie during the summertime, during which many memories were created. She and Tony were members of the Hub Club Trailer Club for many years and developed many lasting friendships. Mary was a long time member of the Young Ladies Institute, El Pajaro #138, and participated in many fundraisers and activities on behalf of this Catholic organization. She was also an active member of the Moreland Notre Dame Mothers Guild. Mary enjoyed her family immensely, and always held them dear to her heart in her prayers.
Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tony, parents Maria and Antonio, siblings Virginia, Sebastian, Ceferino, John and Frank. She is survived by her daughters Kathleen Brazil, Denise (Cesar) Castro, Anna Marie (Mark) Loera; grandchildren Angela (Richard) Perretta, Coleman Schott, Joaquin and Julio Castro; great-grandchild Alyssa Perretta; siblings Ida Bobeda, Pete (Dolly) Bobeda and Tony (Betty) Bobeda; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews in California, Oregon, Texas and Spain.
The family would like to extend our thanks to the Visiting Angels, particularly the caregivers Evelyn, Virginia, Alicia, Karla, Lydia and Emily. Also, Hospice of Santa Cruz County provided the most caring end of life support possible.
Visitation will be held at Mehl’s Colonial Chapel on Monday, June 19th from 5-9 pm with a Rosary recited at 7 pm. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Or Lady Help of Christians Church, in Watsonville on Tuesday, June 20 at 10 am followed by burial at the Watsonville Catholic Cemetery on Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville.
Donations to Hospice of Santa Cruz County would be greatly appreciated.
