On January 22, 2022, Sofia de Jesus Tavares gracefully completed her final rotation around our sun; comforted by the warmth of her daughter’s hands on hers, in a room filled with love and prayers from family and friends on two continents while the world outside her window shone resplendent with freshly fallen snow.
Sofia was born at home, December 18, 1937, in Afurada, Portugal, a small fishing village across the Douro River from Porto. She was the third of six children of the late Amadeu Tavares and Esmeria de Jesus. There she grew up; learning the art of Portuguese cooking, which later became one of her Love Languages; the joy of dance; the beauty of art; and the magic of children. She would eventually marry and raise three children of her own. All lives have their challenges, but when God created Portuguese women, (especially Sofia), He gave them faith, resilience, and fierce hearts to meet whatever the world presented and to thrive.
And thrive she did! On April 12, 2002, sponsored by her son, Antonio, Sofia immigrated to the United States with her daughter, Flavia, and her family, making Chesapeake, Virginia her home. She has spent the last two decades of her life loving on her children and Grandchildren and introducing them, and the community, to the wonders of Portuguese cuisine with her own twist on recipes, Fado music, her love of dance, (Rumor has it a dance video exists documenting her imaginative style and energy) and her beautiful talent for creating fine crochet pieces. She was a true artisan, and these pieces will forever be treasured family heirlooms.
The final decade Sofia's life was spent immersed in her truest calling, being with children. In 2011 she started volunteering at Immanuel Christian Learning Center, under the insightful leadership Julia Kennedy and where her daughter, Flavia, is employed as assistant director. In a year she became a staff member. It was clear to everyone that Miss Sofia, soon to be “Grandma Sofia” or simply, “Grandma” was God’s ambassador of love to the school. She cooked, she cleaned, she brought joy to everyone. She never mastered the English language, but authentic love has its own language and the children and staff recognized that immediately.
Left to cherish her many memories and to tell her story are her three children, Antonio, Abilio, and Flavia, her siblings, Maria, Antonio, and Emilia, Grandchildren, Amadeu, Abilio, Abel, Blake, Andre, Sofia, Michael, Kristina, Kimberly, John and Christopher Kennedy, Great Grandchildren, Ariel, Titus, Roman, Isabella, and Johnny. As well as extended
family members Julia and John Kennedy, Cristina Almeida, Bob and Denise Hersh, and the entire staff and children of Immanuel Church Learning Center. Sofia was preceded in death by her parents Amadeu and Esmeria, her siblings, Rosalina and Manuel, great-granddaughter, Charlotte, and her special friend, Alfredo Almeida
Sofia was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, Aunt, friend but most importantly she was a child of God. She knew how to shine. Marianne Williamson’s thoughts capture her energy perfectly.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Who are you not to be? You are a child of God. You’re playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
To honor Sofia, let us all go forward letting our own light shine today and every day just like Sofia and the children of Immanuel Christian Learning Center.
The family of Sofia De Jesus Tavares would like to recognize the following people whose kindness will be forever remembered; Pastor Tracy Gregory and Pastor Dave Libengood and the congregation of Immanuel Baptist Church, for their prayers and support these past months, the family that is Immanuel Christian Learning Center for the way they loved Grandma Sofia, Mrs. Kennedy, and her family for the years of support in both Flavia’s life and her mother’s; Cristina, Bob, Denise and Ron for their prompt assistance. Your love and presence, always anticipating needs and then magically showing up with the perfect answer have been priceless, and we will be forever grateful, and finally Comfort Care Hospice, Chesapeake, especially Halley, Debra, Laurie, Kate, and Megan.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at Graham Funeral Home, 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake Virginia with viewing from 2:00-3:00pm and service immediately following. Family and friends are welcome to come honor and share their memories of Grandma Sofia.