Maria Amelia Matos da Silva Bailey was born on September 25, 1926 in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, Azores (Portugal), and died on October 23, 2024, at the age of 98, in McKinney, Texas.

Growing up on the island of São Miguel, Maria loved to swim in the ocean and visit the quinta in Capélas, which was a great source of joy for her. She met William Wheat Bailey, Jr., a handsome university professor from America, and they married on February 20, 1960 in France. They had their first child, Kathleen in 1962 in France, followed by Valerie in 1964 in England. In late 1964, with a toddler and a baby in tow, the family moved from England to Wichita Falls, Texas, where they added Ian to the family in 1966 and Patrick in 1971.

While raising her children, Maria enrolled in nursing school at Bethania Hospital in Wichita Falls, after which she earned a nursing license. After the family moved to the Dallas, Texas area, Maria began a long career of caring for others as a nurse, working at Presbyterian Hospital and Medical City Dallas, among others. At the end of her nursing career, she worked as a hospice nurse. Maria received numerous letters of appreciation from patients that were touched by her caring manner and the excellent care she provided.

Beyond caring for her patients, Maria took care of any loved one who was in need. From providing a space for communing over a fresh pot of tea, to afternoon school pickups for her grandchildren, and everything in between; if your cup was overflowing, she would be there to lessen the load. Above all, her main goal in life was to be happy and she credited that happiness to her health and longevity.

Maria was preceded in death by her husband, William Bailey, her youngest son Patrick Bailey, her nephew Julian de Medeiros, whom she raised, and all her siblings. She is survived by her children, Kathleen Bailey and husband Carl Jacobs, Valerie and Dominique Kasindi, and Ian and Andrea Bailey; her stepson Rodney Bailey; her nephew Gustavo de Medeiros and niece Lena Franco; her grandchildren Philippe, Carl, Gabrielle, Shamir, Raheman, Jacob, Mariah, Jessica, Landon, Ashley, Kaitlin, Blake, Chancy, and Jenna; and several great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Association in her name.