Mrs. Josefa Maria Paes Caldeira's Obituary
With heavy hearts, we share the passing of our beloved Josefa Maria Paes Caldeira, affectionately known as "Santa", who left this world on March 2nd, 2025, in Frederick, Maryland, at the age of 90. A woman of quiet grace and boundless kindness, she was a devoted daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Her love for her family and unwavering faith in God will forever be cherished by all who knew her. Santa touched the lives of many with her gentle spirit, leaving behind a legacy of faith, generosity, respect, and selfless service.
Though officially registered as born on December 23rd, Josefa entered the world a day earlier, on December 22, 1934, in her parents' home in Sabará, Minas Gerais, Brazil. She was the firstborn child of Manoel Quirino Paes, a pastor and railroad worker of Portuguese descent, and Maria "Chiquinha" do Perpétuo Socorro Paes, a homemaker of Portuguese and African heritage. From the moment she could walk, Santa took on the role of helper in her family, assisting her mother in caring for her nine younger siblings and taking on household tasks with diligence and love. During times of national health quarantines, when sick children were at risk of being taken from their families, she helped hide and protect her younger siblings, a testament to her deep sense of responsibility and devotion.
Her angelic appearance along with her gentle and dependable nature, earned her the nickname "Santa" as a toddler, a name that remained with her for life. She was the peacemaker, the one her siblings trusted to deliver difficult news or negotiate with their father. In fact, it wasn't until she began school that she realized her given name was actually Josefa, when her teacher called attendance - an amusing surprise that became a cherished family story.
Santa often spoke of her childhood with fondness, recalling joyful days spent playing traditional Brazilian "Roda" circle games with her siblings and friends. Among them, her closest companion was her aunt, Adilia, who was the same age and her lifelong friend.
Santa was known for her intelligence, curiosity, and deep appreciation for learning. An avid reader with a keen awareness of world events, she excelled in financial management and valued her independence. Always elegant in demeanor, she was a trusted confidante, offering a listening ear and never repeating a secret. Soft-spoken and composed, she carried herself with a quiet dignity - never harsh, never vulgar, and always kind.
She pursued her early education at Grupo Escolar Paula Rocha and began working at just 14 years old. Later, she studied accounting at the former school - Escola na Praça Melo Viana in Sabará. Her career led her to the National Service for Industrial Training (SENAI), where she worked with dedication for 26 years, taking great pride in her profession.
In 1953, at just 18 years old, Josefa met Arnaldo Alves Caldeira, the man who would become her lifelong partner. Their fathers - both named Manoel - were close friends through church, and through that bond, their own love story began. At 24, Santa and Arnaldo married, eager to build a future together. Their family flourished as they welcomed four children into the world - Arnaldo, Miriam, Junia, and Patricia - who became her greatest joy.
Santa was a mother filled with patience, warmth, and quiet strength. She was her children's guiding light, always offering encouragement and wisdom. She worked tirelessly, teaching them the values of integrity, resilience, and personal responsibility. Multitalented, she found joy in many creative pursuits - cooking, painting, singing sewing, and crocheting. Yet, despite her many gifts, one thing she never quite mastered was driving, a fact that became an endearing family joke.
In 1980, Arnaldo received an invitation to study theology in San Diego, California. Captivated by the experience, he dreamed of moving their family to America. Though the timing was not yet right, fate would bring that dream to life years later. In the winter of 1993, during a visit to their daughter Miriam in Maryland, Arnaldo was invited to teach at a Brazilian seminary and later to continue his ministry at a church in Danbury, Connecticut.
It was in Connecticut that Santa saw snow for the first time, a moment that filled her with childlike wonder. She once mused that she has imagined herself in Europe, never America - but life had other plans. She embraced her new country with an open heart, adapting to the culture and language with quiet determination. After three years in Connecticut, she and Arnaldo moved to Fort Myers, Florida, where they continued their ministry while living near their children Patricia and Arnaldo. There, Santa spent 10 beautiful years surrounded by five of her grandchildren. She also found fulfillment working at a Methodist daycare, where her nurturing spirit shined.
In 2005, when Arnaldo's health declined due to Alzheimer's, Santa returned with him to Brazil, dedicating herself to his care in his final year of life. She remained by his side with unwavering love and patience until his passing. Afterward, she returned to the United States, settling in Frederick, Maryland, with her daughter Junia and her family. Always a diligent worker, she worked for a time at Verbena Day Spa, cherishing the daily interactions with others. In 2018, just weeks after proudly becoming a U.S. citizen, Santa suffered a stroke that left her unable to walk or speak. For the next seven years, she was cared for by her devoted family and the compassionate team at Autumn Lake Healthcare at Ballenger Creek. Despite her health challenges, she remained surrounded by love, with daily visits from those who cherished her.
Above all, Santa's greatest joy was being a grandmother. With twelve grandchildren - six boys and six girls - she embraced her role as their beloved "Vovó", always ready to nurture, teach, and cook for them. She thrived in a home filled with laughter, family, and the warmth of togetherness.
Her faith was the foundation of her life. From childhood, she was a devoted member of the Assembleia de Deus church, where her father began his ministry. After moving to Belo Horizonte, she became deeply involved in Igreja Batista da Floresta, and later she served as the superintendent of the Escola Biblica da Floresta. Santa stood faithfully beside her husband as he founded Igreja Batista das Alterosas in Bairro Amazonas, Belo Horizonte, offering her steadfast support, time and dedication to the congregation and ministry. Even in her later years, she never wavered in her devotion. In a 2013 interview, Santa expressed her heartfelt wish for future generations: that they would all come to know and love the Lord.
Santa's life was a testament to her name. She embodied grace, kindness, and faithfulness, living out the virtues of patience, humility, and love. As one of her favorite Bible verses, 2 Timothy 4:7, so beautifully reflects, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” And so true to her name, Santa's life was one of quiet sainthood - a legacy of love, devotion, and unwavering faith that will continue to shine in the hearts of all who knew her.
Josefa's legacy will live on in the hearts of her four children - Arnaldo and his wife Luciene, Miriam and her husband Francisco, Junia and her husband Carlos, and Patricia and her husband Ely; her twelve grandchildren - Evie, Estevan, Victoria, Gabriel, Thais, Lucas, Filipe, Olivia, Francisco, Daniella, Matthew, and Deborah; and two great-grandchildren - Wyatt and Monroe. Josefa was the eldest of nine siblings, survived by Maria Paes Amendoeira, Samuel Paes, Raquel Paes, and Paulo Paes; and preceded in death by her siblings Ines Paes Moreira, Joel Paes, Celia Paes, Eni Paes, and Olindina Paes de Oliveira, as well as both of her parents - Maria and Manoel Paes.
We invite anyone who would like to attend to please join us in celebrating Santa's life at the funeral service, held at 11am on March 15th, at the Resthaven Funeral Home, 9501-B Catoctin Mountain Highway, Frederick, Maryland 21703, followed by burial and a reception. Donations may be made to Compassion International at https://www.compassion.com/ways-to-donate.htm in Memory of Santa Paes. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.resthaven.us.
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