Tribute

Delphina Maria Ferreira

We are very shocked and saddened to announce the sudden passing of Delphina Ferreria on November 26th, 2024.

Delphina was born on June 10th 1958 in the small town of Silvares in Portugal. She lived in Silvares until the age of 7. Raised by her maternal grandmother from the age of 2 until her untimely passing. Delphina and her two  sisters, Irene and Maria then moved to Oliver, Canada to join the rest of her family.

With the aid of nothing more than hard work and determination the Ferreira clan prospered. In no small part due to the hard work of the Ferreira children. Delphina was one of the few young people in Oliver that welcomed the start to the school year because it meant she no longer had to pick fruit in the orchards. At the age of 16 she started working at the Oliver Packing House (BC Tree Fruits). Delphina truly cared about her job and during her nearly 45 year career was an exemplary employee. When she was responsible for loading the controlled atmosphere storage facility she would stay late and put all the fruit away that had come the previous day because she knew that it would impact the quality of the farmers fruit and her responsibility was to the farmers. Delphina embraced retirement on September 20th 2022 because she knew it would give her more time to truly enjoy the things most important to her.

Delphina married Jose Sousa on April 30th 1977 and had two loving children Shawn Sousa and Mandy Sousa who continued to be very important throughout her life. She divorced Jose in 1991. She met Wayne Belleville in the Spring of 1995 and they continued to be life partners for the next 30 years. Together they truly lived and enjoyed life. Travelling and exploring different parts of BC and other countries.

Delphina had a zest for life. Her presence would light up the room. Her laugh and smile were contagious and she was guaranteed to pull out on the dance floor. Delphina was a dedicated member of the Fairview Mountain Golf course. She spent countless hours on that golf course and loved socializing with her golf community, ladies day and ladies night were among her favourite pass-times. She loved the outdoors: hiking, mountains, lakes, the ocean, and flowers. She was an exceptional gardener who spent hours tending to her flowers and vegetables. Delphina’s garden was truly a sight to be seen. Her energy and determination was unmatched. Delphina loved adventure and was enthusiastic about trying new things and seeing new places. She loved to camp and travel. She travelled to Hawaii with Wayne to visit her step sons Josh and Uriah. She also travelled to Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic with Wayne. She travelled to China to visit Mandy and many years later to Uganda with her granddaughter Taliyah. But her greatest love was her roots, Portugal. Delphina, Wayne, Mandy and her two granddaughters recently travelled to Portugal to visit Delphina’s parents. A truly memorable trip that Mandy and Wayne will hold close to their hearts.

Delphina’s love grew even stronger when her granddaughters Taliyah and Kiara were born. She had the privilege of living up the street from them which made for weekly visits. She was the most dedicated and loving grandmother who was actively involved in every aspect of their lives. Her granddaughters spoke her name with excitement and ran towards her every time she entered the room. She will be greatly missed by all.

Delphina Ferreira was predeceased by her sister Maria De Deus Ferreira and her sister-in-law Maria Alice Ferriera

Survived by her husband Wayne Belleville, her daughter Mandy Sousa and son Shawn Sousa, and step sons Josh and Uriah Belleville, daughter in-law Tanya Belleville and Mellanie Belleville, grand children Taliyah and Kiara Adiga, sister Irene Pavao and brother-in-law Frank Pavao and brother John Ferreira and her parents Antonio Bras Ferreira and Mother Elvira Gomes Alentejano Ferreira, her nieces, nephews, and great nieces.

A celebration of life will be held on April 19, 2025, at 1:00 pm at the Fairview Mountain Golf Club.