Melba Elizabeth Gomes

Services will be held in Santa Cruz on Monday, March 26, 2012 for Melba Gomes who passed away peacefully at Dominican Hospital on March 20, 2012, at the age of 88. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, she was raised in Georgia, later working as Rosie the Riveter, helping to build aircrafts during WWII. Mrs. Gomes moved to Stockton in 1950 where she met her husband, Augustine "Augie" Gomes. In 1960 Augie and Melba moved to Santa Cruz County where they owned and operated Capitola Liquors. In addition to owning a small business they were active in many civic and community functions within Capitola. With her husband serving as President of the local Chamber of Commerce, the couple annually participated in the Capitola Begonia Festival, and were members of U.P.P.E.C. Upon moving to Santa Cruz in the 1970's, Mrs. Gomes was an active parishoner in Holy Cross Church. She voluntered her time with Bible study, bake sales, and was most instrumental in the organization of fund raising primarily for the construction of the new Holy Cross Church Hall. Mrs. Gomes loved gardening. She enjoyed her plants and flowers and walks through the garden at the Oblates of St. Joseph. Mrs. Gomes enjoyed cooking and baking and loved to spend time gathered around the kitchen table with her family and friends. She was also an accomplished seamstress, welcoming any project or challenge that involved needlework. She is survived by her two sons and her daughter in-law, Larry and Susie Champion, and Augustine Daniel Gomes. She also leaves her sisters, Myrna Broviak, and Melrose "Tootsie" Norton; her grandchildren: Matthew, Thomas and Laura Champion, and her great-grandchildren: John, Kate, Camille and Grant. She was preceded in death by her husband Augie Gomes in 2003. A vigil ceremony will be held at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel beginning at 6:00pm on Sunday, March 25, 2012. Friends may pay their respects at the chapel from 3:00 - 7:00 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church, 126 High Street in Santa Cruz on Monday, March 26, beginning at 10:00am. Mrs. Gomes will be laid to rest beside her late husband Augie, immediatley following the mass. Any kind acts of charity may be made in her memory to Disabled American Veterans, www.dav.org/donate.