Adaline "Lena" Cardoza Cabral, 97, entered into rest early Tuesday, November 29, at her home in Manteca, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on January 31, 1914 in  Castroville, California, moving to Manteca in 1918, where she lived the rest of her life.

Lena leaves behind her daughters Patricia McCaw of Sunnyvale, CA and Marie Derrick of  Pahoa, Hawaii. She loved her six grandchildren Claudia Spalding, Robert Cabral Jr., Derek McCaw, Kathleen Klump, Regina Brital and Chris McCaw. Her last years were brightened by her seven great-grandchildren Emerson Klump, Adaline McCaw, Evan Klump, Paige Cabral, Luke McCaw, Alec Brital and Andrew Brital. In addition she has two siblings Jack Cardoza of Modesto and Rosalene Brumbley of Manteca.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Emil Cabral, and her son Robert Cabral Sr.

After attending Calla Grammar School and graduating from Manteca High School, Lena worked as an almond huller and a variety of jobs at the Manteca Cannery. After marrying Emil she mostly stayed home to raise her family, where her generous spirit shone as a farm wife during the depression. Whether family, friend or stranger, no visitor to her home left hungry. Some who rode the rails during the depression still came by to visit and thank her well into the 1970s.

In later years she helped her husband Emil with his Escalon store, Emil's Liquors, while also keeping an eye on the family almond ranch. The two of them traveled when they could, to Mexico, Hawaii and Portugal to trace the family roots. But most of her family remembers the fishing trips up to the Merced River and later to Monterey with her daughter Pat.

An avid reader and fan of games, she spent the last few years at home challenging caregivers and grandchildren in Scrabble and working her way through stacks of Word Search puzzle books.

P.L. Fry & Son is honored to be serving the Cabral family. A visitation will be held on Friday, December 2, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon followed by a Prayer service at 12:00 noon both held at P.L. Fry & Son 290 N. Union Rd. Manteca, Ca.  In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to Hospice of San Joaquin, 3888 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA. 95204.   For condolences to the family an online guest book is available at www.plfryandson.com
(search obituaries).

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, December 2, 2011