Mariana J. (Gonsalves) DaGraca “Yiya”
Date of Passing:
Mariana Jose (Gonsalves) DaGraca “Yiya”, 99, of Seventh Street, East Providence, died peacefully on Saturday, March 15, 2025 surrounded by her loving family at Miriam Hospital, Providence. She was the beloved wife of the late Antonio J. DaGraca Sr. They had been married for 61 years.
Yiya, as she was affectionately known was born in Providence, a daughter
of the late Jose Luiz Gonsalves and Maria (Coelho) Gonsalves. She was a lifelong resident of East Providence.
She was a graduate of East Providence Senior High School class of 1944.
Yiya worked for various jewelry companies and the former General Electric Company before her retirement in 1982.
She was the proud great-granddaughter of Antonio Jose Coelho, founder of the Brava, Cabo Verde Packet Trade.
She enjoyed dining, and crabs were one of her favorites, watching horror movies and shopping for bargains especially at Savers. She had a keen eye and passion for decorating and she could transform spaces into havens of beauty and comfort. Many who visited her home admired her extensive collection of family photos meticiously placed and hung throughout her home.
Her greatest joys and accomplishments were being “MA” and “GRANDMA” a legacy of love and laughter that will live on in the hearts of her family.
She is survived by five daughters, Maria “Mindy” da Graca and her husband Luis Carvalho of Seekonk, MA, Antoninette DaGraca-Morgan and her husband Walter of East Providence, Julie Hazard of Marietta, GA, Alicia Waters and her husband Kevin of Bristol, RI, Delores DaGraca and her fiancé George Frye of West Palm Beach, FL a son, Antonio DaGraca Jr. and his wife Donna of East Providence, RI, a brother, Jose Gonsalves, 15 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was the sister of the late Luiz J. Gonsalves Sr. and the mother-in-law of the late Philip C. Hazard Jr.
Her funeral and visitation will be held on Thursday March 20, 2025 from 7:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. in the W. RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Francis Xavier Church, Carpenter Street, East Providence at 10 A.M. Burial will follow in in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
Flowers are respectfully omitted. Please consider a donation in Yiya’s memory to the Atlanta North Christadelphian Church, Truth Cornerstone Project C/O Irvin Sierra, 4935 Heritage Crossing Drive SW Powder Springs, GA 30127
On line contributions https:// truthcornerstone.org/donate
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful mother. My condolence is going out to the whole Da Graca family .Mrs Da Graca was always so nice to me and such a beautiful person.
dear friends, our deepest condolences to your family. growing up in our neighborhood your mom and many other moms kept an eye on us all. we were blessed to have those women looking out for us. they are all in heaven watching. our angels, our blessings. rest in heavenly peace mrs dagraca 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Julie, May God’s peace fill your heart during this difficult time. Your mother was a bright spot to all who had the blessing of knowing her. I will certainly miss hearing of all your adventures, especially the ones to savers. You and your family are lifting in my prayers.
To my dearest friend Delores and your beautiful family.
My deepest and most sincere condolences to each of you following this enormously difficult loss. May the memories of the joys your mother brought help to counter every sadness that missing her will bring. I love you and I 🙏🏾 pray that God will comfort the grieving heart of you and your family members.
To my “brotha” Jose and family, my prayers for God’s embrace upon you all as He brings you comfort during this time of loss. I love you all.
To the daughters, son, grandchildren and great grandchildren of YiYa. I know you have suffered a great loss because of her passing. Please remember that she will always be with you. I have such fond memories of her that will last my lifetime. She was my favorite sister in-law and we shared many good times together with her and your Dad. She will be forever missed! Her biggest joy was her family. So attached she was to each and every one of you. I can’t wait to see her again in heaven when and if I get there. We certainly will be talking about all our kids. Please Rest In Peace YiYa. Loved you and still love you. Barbie Dazgraca
Dee my dear friend & sister!
Your sisters, my sisters have our deepest condolences for the entire family. I met her once but she became the love guy of our eyes. She will forever be missed & her memories will always be cherished.
We will continue to pray that each of you all strength will blossom with our Lord&Savior Jesus Christ.
Ma you came from The Light of God as a gift to us; birthing / delivering with great pain a life for us into this world; literally raising us up with dad and with much sacrifices and again pains, in order for us to have a living.Now you have gone back to The Light
God, shielded from pain or suffering to eternal joy. We thank you, honor you and love you eternally.We thank God for you, dad and everything! Amen Descanse ‘em Paz Nha Mai; descanse em Paz💔💔💔💔💔🇨🇻🇨🇻🌈🌺🙏💐🙏🙏💔
Cousin Mindy, Im so sorry to hear about aunt Mariana’s passing. She was a loving and kind person who was devoted to her family. May she rest in peace.
Our deepest condolences to Julie and the entire Hazard
and DeGraica families. The Barros family.
Our deepest, sincerest condolences to the DaGraca family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time.
Please accept our deepest condolences to the DaGraca Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
My condolences to your family in this period. My prayers go out to all of you.
To the Dagraca family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. May she rest in peace and God’s Grace be upon you during this difficult time.
Sister Julie and Family, my deepest condolences with love and prayers for all in this time…
Beloved Family— Pls. know that we are standing with you during this difficult time and are praying that God’s love, comfort and peace will strengthen your hearts & encourage your spirit.
Dear Mindy,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Wishing you and your family strength and comfort during this difficult time.
My deepest sympathies,
Lucy Rose
I am so sorry for your loss. May the memories you shared bring you strength and comfort in this time of grief. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I’m so sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. Growing up, she always was sweet and loving to anyone around her. May you all find solace, strength, and hold onto such beautiful memories that you all shared together. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your beautiful mother.
Sending lots of love and Aloha prayers to you all Prima Maria from Hawaii for momma 🙏🙏🙏🙏
To the family My deepest condolences as our hearts are broken with this loss of such a wonderful soul. My mom (Vinda) has been mourning your loss. Yiya was not only family but a great friend to her and our family. You will forever be missed. Rest in Eternal Peace Yiya.
My condolences to my cousins, so sad to hear about Aunt Mariana passing. As a child my sisters, brother and I loved going to visit Uncle Tony & Aunt Mariana’s house. We always had fun! Rest in heavenly peace. Love you all.🙏🏽❤️❤️
I was so blessed and honored to know your mom since childhood. She was truly a beautiful lady and she will be missed. Eternal rest to you, Mrs. DaGraca. 🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽
To the deGraca family, I send my condolences for the loss of your love one. May she rest in Peace. Thoughts and Prayers are with You.
Dearest Sis Julie, our hearts reach out to you in deep condolence at this time. May our heavenly Father comfort you and the entire family in our shared hope.
My deepest condolences. May she rest in peace.
My beautiful cousins, I’m so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful mom Auntie Yiya. May God comfort you all. Please know I’m thinking of you all.
Rest in Peace Mariana🕊💐 There are so many good memories of her to cherish and love😊💕. I am glad to have cared for her and be a part of her life. She will surely be missed. As a wonderful mom she raised a beautiful family. Gods blessings be with all of her family🙏💕🙏💕💐💐💐 Amen
To Julie, Mindy and the entire DaGraca family. So sorry for the loss of your mom. She was a wonderful person and we have lots of precious memories. We are keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Sending much love your way. May your mom rest in eternal peace. May the Lord comfort you all at this time.
My Condolences to the DaGraca family for the loss of their Beautiful and Beloved Mom. 😪 You are all in my thoughts and prayers. 🙏🏽
Mrs. da Graca,
if I had to list my regrets in life, Not getting a chance to meet you in person would be on it. I love the stories shared by your amazing and beautiful daughter Dee. I know wholeheartedly the amazing wife you were, the amazing mother you were and still are! Your qualities and beauty within will always be instilled in your girls and all of your family. You will be missed and forever loved.
My Condolences to the family of Mariana Da Gracia may she RIP lovely young lady!❤ My Condolences to her family,so sorry for your loss!❤
Julie and family, my condolences and prayers at this time.
Julie, and the entire DaGraca family.
Please accept our deepest sympathy on the passing of your mother, grandmother.
May the lord grant you all the strength and comfort that will be needed at this most difficult time.
May your mother’s soul rest in eternal peace.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers .