Brain Aneurysm Foundation

This is our third year participating in the Brain Aneurysm Walk/Run in loving memory of Margarida, who unexpectedly passed away in 2023.

Margarida was one of the strongest and most selfless people anyone could ever know. At just 21 years old, she made the brave and life altering decision to leave her home country with her husband and newborn son, arriving in the United States without speaking a word of English. With unwavering determination and courage, she set out to build a better life for her family, and she did exactly that.

She went on to raise six children, all of whom graduated from college, a milestone that brought her immense pride and joy. Later in life, she pursued a dream of her own and earned her own college degree at the age of 58, proving that perseverance has no expiration date. She taught her children to work hard, to keep going when things felt impossible, and to never give up, lessons that continue to guide us every day. She was always there, gently but firmly pushing us forward.

Margarida was deeply loved by everyone who knew her. She expressed her love most fully through cooking and baking… no one ever left her home hungry. Every gathering revolved around food, always homemade, always abundant. Some of our most cherished memories were made around her kitchen table, especially with her children and grandchildren. Beyond the kitchen, she was a gifted seamstress, had a magical ability to revive even the most hopeless plants, and felt a deep connection to nature. The ocean, in particular, brought her peace and joy and reminded her of home.

Her compassion extended far beyond her family. Margarida spent several years working in hospice care, offering comfort, dignity, and kindness to people in their final moments. She was adored by her patients and their families alike. Putting others before herself came naturally to her, her love was quiet, steady, and endless.

I am incredibly honored to call her my mom.

By participating in this walk, we hope to support advances in research and medicine that can help prevent and treat brain aneurysms, so fewer families have to experience this kind of loss. We walk to honor Margarida’s life, her legacy, and the love she gave so freely. Any donation, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated and made in her memory.

“Saudade é o amor que fica.”