Kelly Marie Freitas passed away peacefully in her home in Hollister, CA on July 16, 2010, ending her battle with cancer. Kelly was 31 years old and lived life to it’s fullest each and every day. She was born in San Jose, CA 1979 and was the youngest of three children of Carlos and Amelia Alvernaz (Silva). Kelly was raised in Hollister from the age of three. She attended Sacred Heart School and San Benito High School, where she played water polo. Kelly attended Chico State University, San Jose State University and the Art Institute of San Francisco where she studied photography. In addition to being a professional photographer specializing in children, she was the marketing manager at Pietra Santa Winery. She was a parishioner of St. Benedicts church and a member of the S.D.E.S. hall. Kelly grew up in a large and close-knit extended family. She loved traveling, camping, waterskiing and dancing.
Kelly married her true love, Manny Freitas on May 16, 2009. Their story was a true love story. Manny had adored Kelly since high school, but it wasn’t until five years ago he finally got the courage to ask her on a date. She immediately knew he was “the one.” After the wedding she and Manny took a trip to Hawaii, a place Kelly had always dreamed of visiting. Together they bought and renovated a home and adopted two dogs, Bogey and Dolce. Manny adored Kelly and cared for her with indescribable love and compassion until her very last moment.
Kelly was known for her fabulous style, creativity and for her energetic and boisterous personality. She was the most loyal friend a person could have and was always known for being great with kids. This was especially true of her nephews and niece whom she adored and who adored her as well. Kelly loved Starbucks, sushi, the color light blue and lived by the simple motto of “smile.” Throughout her life her smile, spirit and strength have been an inspiration to so many people, especially her close family and friends.
Kelly is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Manny Freitas, her mother and father, Carlos and Amelia Alvernaz (Silva), her mother and father-in-law Adela Freitas (Martin) and Anthony Freitas, her brother David Alvernaz (Tiffany), her sister Carla (Zeph Thorning), her brother in-law Mark Freitas (Shawna) her grandmothers-in-law Dorothy Freitas and Inez Martin, her seven nephews Hayden, Braz, Griffin, Zepho, Maddox, Reid and Markus, her niece Scarlett as well as a large extended family and many friends with whom she shared many experiences throughout her life. She is also survived by her loving caretaker Edna Dubois.
Visitation will be this Monday, July 19, 2010, from Noon to 7:00 P.M. at the Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home, 870 San Benito St., Hollister. Viewing and visitation will also be held at Sacred Heart Cathollic Church, 5th and College St, Hollister on Tuesday morning, beginning at 10:00 A.M. prior to a Rosary and Funeral Mass that will start at 11:00 A.M. Graveside services and burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, 1100 Hillcrest Rd., Hollister.
Contributions may be made in Kelly’s honor to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. P.O. Box 204 Norwood, NJ 07648.
