Mary Simas Miranda Bertao passed away at home in Los Banos on January 25, 2017, surrounded by family, after a short illness. Mary Sara Simas was born February 28, 1926 in Newman, California to parents Frank and Serafina Simas. After spending her young childhood years in Newman and Crows Landing, Mary moved to Los Banos with her family where she graduated from Los Banos High School in 1944. Mary worked for the Charleston School District and Los Banos Unified School District as a cook for 30 years. She was married to John Paul Miranda on October 10, 1944 in Los Banos until his passing in 1986. She was then married to Frank P. Bertao on November 11, 1989 until his passing in 2010.
Mary is survived by her daughter Christine Brandi (Gene) of Los Banos; son Frank Miranda (Jeanette) of Manteca; sister Lorriane Littleton of Oroville, sister-in-law, Wilhelmina Costa of Los Banos; grandchildren Renee Notari (Jason) of Pleasanton; Michael Brandi (Grace) of Los Banos; Cherie Miranda of Las Vegas, Nevada; Helena Yates (Adam) of Los Banos; Andrea Miranda (Cory) of Los Banos; Mindy Miranda of Neche, North Dakota; Lynette Fitzgerald (Tim) of Salinas; and Celeste Miranda of San Luis Obispo; 16 greatgrandchildren and one greatgreat-grandson.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husbands John Paul Miranda and Frank P. Bertao; sons, Robert Paul Miranda and Norman Stephen Miranda; Sisters Georgina Rocha and Dorothy Ferreira.
Visitation will be held at Whitehurst Funeral Chapel in Los Banos on Monday, February 6th beginning at 5:00 p.m. followed by a rosary at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 7th at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Los Banos. Mary’s final resting place will be in the Los Banos District Cemetery.
Services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Chapel~ Los Banos.
Donations may be made to Bristol Hospice of Merced or your favorite charity.