Manuela Carvalho Traylor
July 18, 1943-Aug. 7, 2017
Pleasanton, CA

Manuela Carvalho Traylor passed away peacefully on August 7, 2017, at the age of 74, after a long struggle with Dementia. Manuela was born in Portugal, on the Azores island of Faial. The eldest of five children, she was 16 when she and her family moved to the United States. She spent the last 35 years of her life living in Pleasanton and had lived previously in Napa, San Leandro and Southern California.

Manuela held a variety of corporate jobs including positions with Prescolite, Farmers Insurance and Marlowe’s Flowers, before following her passion for flowers. Her co-workers loved her high energy and positive spirit. She owned a health food store, and then a conglomerate of flower shops called Cayford’s Florist with her brother Al for many years. Her love for flowers and gardening came to life in her award winning floral designs. Manuela loved her community and was active in the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Business Network and Downtown Business Association.

Manuela was widowed in 1977 and raised her two children. She was the original “supermom” who did it all, and enjoyed life very much along the way. As a member of both Napa Valley Country Club and Castlewood Country Club, she developed her love of golf. She also loved other activities such as tennis, racquetball and skiing. Manuela loved music, singing and dancing. She was an avid oil painter, loved to travel and was never afraid to try something new. She loved spending time with her grandchildren. She had a passion for life and lit up every room she entered with her smile. Manuela is survived by her children; Burdette Traylor and DeeDee Taft; grandchildren Sarah Taft and Tyler Taft; her sisters Fernanda Pereira, Dina Pereira and brother Tony Pereira.

A Rosary service will be held on Tuesday, August 15, at 7 p.m. with visitation from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Holy Angels Funeral/Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 1051 Harder Road, Hayward, CA.

A celebration mass will take place on Wednesday, August 16, at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Clement’s Catholic Church, 750 Calhoun St., Hayward, CA. Following the mass, a “Celebration of Manuela’s Life” will take place immediately following the mass at Barone’s Restaurant, in Pleasanton.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to the kind and caring staffs at The Parkview and Vitas Hospice for their loving care and support. In Manuela’s memory, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice.

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