Maria Fatima Martins

August 15, 1944 – August 18, 2026

Maria Fatima Martins of Orland passed away on August 18, 2026, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family.

Maria was born on August 15, 1944, in the village of Doze Ribeiras on the island of Terceira, in the Azores, Portugal. In 1969, after marrying Francisco Elmino, they immigrated to the U.S. and began a new life starting their family in Norco, Calif. While her husband worked on dairy farms, Maria cleaned homes to help support their growing family, while raising their children and building a home of their own. In 1984, they started their own dairy farm in Orland.

Maria’s life was a continuous act of service to her family, her faith, and her community. Her capacity to provide and love was limitless, with countless individuals beyond her own family seeing her as a maternal figure. Around Maria, there was never an empty stomach or a lack of an embrace. Her warmth, compassion, and zest are sorely missed. She dedicated the last chapter of her life to helping raise her five grandchildren, instilling love, empathy, humility, and faith into their being. Her spirit lives on through them.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Francisco Elmino, in 2012 after 42 years of marriage.

She is survived by her four children, Ines (married to Frank Corriea) of Chico, Frank (married to Channin Olson) and Mario (married to Kristin Aguiar) both of Orland, and Kevin Martins of San Francisco, Calif.; five grandchildren, Franchesca, Hannah, Paulina, Jack, and Zane; and her siblings, Ramiro Ferreira of Orland, Dulce de Sousa of Chino, Calif., Elmira Alves of Gustine, Calif., Ezequiel Ferreira of Wendell, Idaho, Ines Santos of Norwalk, Calif., and Francisco Ferreira of Madera, Calif. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Frederico Ferreira, of Nipomo, Calif.

Services will be held at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Orland, Calif. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.