Amelia Gaspar Obituary

Amelia Pina Gaspar, 95, of Newington, died peacefully on Saturday, September 30, 2023. She was the beloved wife for 59 years of the late Manuel C. Gaspar. Born in Pittsfield, MA, daughter of the late Jose Pina and Adelina Rosa Pina, she lived much of her life between Portugal and Connecticut before settling in Newington 18 years ago. As a woman of faith, Amelia was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Hartford and was a well-respected member of her community.

Her passion for life derived from her love for family, especially her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Amelia was a modest woman, quietly leading by example through honesty, kindness, resilience, and love. She was always perfectly poised and made everyone feel truly heard, accepted, and appreciated. In times of adversity, she unwaveringly exhibited strength as the matriarch to her family. Amelia's joys in life included dancing with the love of her life, cooking traditional Portuguese dishes for her family, traveling, playing penny slots, spending time at her daughter's beach house and cheering on her favorite team, Benefica.

She leaves three children, Daniel Gaspar and wife Mary, Mario Gaspar, and Angela Pace and husband Chez; grandchildren, Daniel Gaspar and wife Lilah, Jordan Gaspar, Chez-Christopher Pace and wife Jillian, Alexander Pace and wife Amanda and Gabriella Gajowiak and husband Matthew; and great grandchildren, Julianna, Chez, Daniel Cassius, and Luca. She also leaves a sister Ariete Gatewood, a brother Vitor Pina and wife Maria, and a sister-in-law Maria Odete Gaspar; and many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her sisters Ilda DaCosta, Lidia Cabral and husband Gaspar, and brother Jose A. Pina and wife Maria C. Pina, brothers-in-law Richard Gatewood and Ginesio Gaspar, and sister-in-law Isabel Ricardo and husband Antonio.

Amelia's family would like to acknowledge and thank her caregiver, Catherine Christian and cardiologist, Dr. Ahmed Elwan for their dedication, diligence, and kindness in Amelia's care.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, October 6, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington. Her funeral service will begin on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 9:00 am at Newington Memorial, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Hartford. She will be laid to rest with Manuel in West Meadow Cemetery, Newington. To support the rebuild efforts after the devastating fire of the Portuguese Club, memorial donations may be made to the Portuguese Club of Hartford, Inc., 730 N. Mountain Rd., Newington, CT 06111. To share a memory with her family, please visit us at www.duksa.net.