"Having George & Mary as neighbors for five years while working and living at Green Animals was special. Whenever I see a giraffe or topiary I smile and think of them."
In loving memory of
George & Mary Mendonca
January 1, 2001
Portsmouth, RI - Mary T. Carriero Mendonca, 93, and George A. Mendonca 101, of Coreys Lane, Portsmouth, RI, died Tuesday, February 1, 2011 and Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at Newport Hospital, Newport, RI. Mrs. Mendonca was born in Portsmouth, RI on August 21, 1917, and was the daughter of the late Jose and Mary Pimental Carreiro, one of five children. Mary Mendonca was very active in St. Anthonys Parish. She was an avid seamstress and a very accomplished gardener, winning many awards for her flowers and gardens. She was a Life Member of the Newport Preservation Society, where she volunteered regularly. She was also a member of the Newport Horticulture Society, an Honorary Member of the Portsmouth Garden Club, and a member of the Portsmouth Grange. Her father, Jose Carreiro, is credited for creating the Green Animals Topiary Gardens in Portsmouth. This fanciful environment further influenced her creativity and imagination. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother and will be sorely missed by her family and friends. Her husband George continued the grooming of Green Animals and added his mystique. Mr. Mendonca was born in Newport, RI on December 29, 1909 and was the son of the late Francisco L. and Mary Perry Mendonca and was one of nine children. George, an accomplished horticulturist and topiary artist continued his father-in-laws work and increased the number of animals on the farm. George was active in the community and was a life member of the Horticultural Society of Newport, an honorary consultant to the Portsmouth Garden Club and for many years Mary and he were active in the Portsmouth Grange. His work, trials and travails were chronicled in the Sony Pictures film, Fast, Cheap and Out of Control produced and directed by Errol Morris, as it depicted the struggles of four men who confronted nature. He relaxed using his imagination combing the shores of Narragansett Bay, doing creative carpentry of his finds, which included rebuilding a half of a boat that washed ashore. He loved fishing and hunting. George Mendonca was a quietly loving father, friend and guide to family and acquaintances. They are survived by their sons Gregory W. Mendonca of North Andover, Ma, G. Leonard Mendonca of Portsmouth, RI, and Paul E Mendonca of Wenham, MA, her brother Adolph B Carreiro of Lovell, ME, his sister Virginia Mendonca of Portsmouth, RI, their grandchildren, John L Mendonca, Michol J Mendonca, Jason Mendonca, Kelly A Mendonca, Brian Mendonca, Kevin Mendonca, and their greatgrandchildren, Alexandra Botohello, Teddy and Jeston Mendonca Their calling hours will be held on Friday February 11, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI.Their funeral will be held on Saturday February 12, at 9:00 AM, from the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM, in St. Anthonys Church, 2836 East Main Road, Portsmouth.Burial will be in Portsmouth Cemetery in Portsmouth. In lieu of flowers, donations in their memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Services of Newport and Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.
Tributes
"Paul , my sincere sympathy to the loss of your parents Joanne Morris McDevitt"
"Our deepest sympathies to the boys and their families on the deaths of their parents. Also to Adolph and Jane. I just found out about this today and am shocked to learn of their passing. Two more wonderfully talented people, loving and kind have left this earth and will be dearly missed. I loved Mary, especially her wonderful laugh. May they rest in peace. I will let my sister Geri know of their deaths when she returns from vacation. Cynthia Sousa Aber"
"An earthly love for all eternity! Forty years ago, a teenaged worker at Alice Brayton's Green Animals, I learned many things, from the proper way to fold towels to the best way to identify the smallest, sweet peas. George and Mary were never too busy to point out God's ever-present glory. From them, I learned some of life's most important lessons: work hard, love faithfully, serve joyfully and give generously. Thank God I visited right after Thanksgiving. Mary was welcoming as ever. Though George could not see me and could barely hear, he made plain his desire to connect. His broad, boyish, unmistakable smile took me back to my introduction to that enchanted place. To quote Miss B’s great -nephew: "There are some gorgeous gardens in heaven today." St. Francis must be jumping for joy as Brother Topiary and Sister Dollmaker take up their heavenly duties, as ever, for the greater glory of God. Sending heartfelt sympathy,"
"Our Deepest Sympathy to the Mendonca Family: We have such warm memories of our distant cousin Mary and George. Mary and our late father Jose Pimentel were cousins. As young children we always looked forward visiting them and the Green Animals Topiary Gardens.Their kindness and loving ways will always be imprinted in our hearts. It is indeed a beautiful way to leave this world; together they can continue their love story in heaven. Cousin Mary and George, Thank You for the memories. Family of the late Jose Pimentel"
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to George, Mary and their family, especially Lenny, Marilyn, John, Michol, Allie and Paul & Mary. A true Romeo and Juliet story - never apart in life or death, They were much loved and we will miss seeing them at the family gatherings that we have been so thoughtfully included in over the years. May they rest in peace together. Tim and Karen"
"Lenny, Marilyn, Michol and John I was so sorry to hear about Mary and George. I have so many fond summer time memories of Green Animals and the time spent with George and Mary. I can feel a warm summer breeze just thinking about them. They were so kind and welcoming to me! My condolences to all of you. You are in my prayers."
"Mary and George were beacons of faith, hope, love, wisdom, creativity, resourcefulness... with an unparalleled sense of humor... rare exceptions in this world which is ever increasingly fast, cheap and out of control... We are so grateful to have had the blessing of their friendship! Love and prayers, the McDonough family"
"My prayers go out to the Mendonca family at this sad time. I was touched by the write-up in the paper and would love to acknowledge this couples extraordinary story with the State Senate. Please call me if there is anything that I can help with. 864-7456"
"Lenny, My condolences to you and your family on the passing of your parents."
"What a wonderful love story. They are together for all eternity."
"To the Mendonca Family my condolences and prayers. I was one of the Social Workers from Visiting Nurses that had the privilege to know and assist your parents. I offer my condolences and am sorry to hear of your losses. Your parents as you all already know where the most giving and kind people and I am forever grateful to have met them. They will surely be missed."
"To the Mendonca Family. My husband and I were so happy to have met a distant cousin for a family get together of the Mendoncas a few years ago. It is sad that a family generation is leaving us. Your parents have left a stamp on the earth for others to remember what great people they were. Our prayers are with you all. George and Marys life in heaven is just beginning."
"Lenny and Family: Seashells remind us that every passing life leaves something beautiful behind. May beauty live on in your memories of your mom & dad and bring you peace. Love, Cheryl and John Tomassini"
"Dear Family, I first met Mary when we were in St. Anthony's Women's Club together. One is instantly attracted to her because of her warmth and friendliness. However, it just occurred to me, 36 years later, that Mary has NEVER AGED!! She really stayed "FOREVER YOUNG". Same sense of humor, warmth and sincere friendliness. I shall miss her. Sincere condolences to her family. How lucky to have had two such wonderful parents. Recently, on a visit to her house, she proudly pointed out the family on the pictures hanging in her hallway. She was so proud."
"Lenny, Marilyn, Michol and John, My sincerest condolences. ~ Bob Angeli"
"Green Animals was an important element of my childhood, the work Mr. And Mrs. Mendonca did sparked the imagination of many. We're so lucky to have been able to appreciate their talents, and I'm so happy to have been able to visit with them last spring. My deepest condolences to their family."
"I have very fond memories of George and Mary and all the times we have been together. Love, Beth"
"My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I had the pleasure of meeting George and Mary this past summer. I attended their grandson John's 50th Birthday celebration. I was amazed by their love and devotion for each other and their family, its truly inspirational. May they rest in peace."
"Mary and George hold such precious momeries for me and my sister Meg and Jane I shall remember them forever in my heartD Bless them for suely they are now in Kingdom of Heaven"
"My prayers and sympathy to all the family as you mourn the death of George and Mary. I have many happy memories of them as we shared many years on Cory's Lane while I was at St. Philomena Convent & School. They were wonderful people and did so much for the community of Portsmouth and beyond! May your faith and your loving memories of them help you at this difficult time of loss of their physical presence with you. Sympathy and Prayers, Sr. Ann Marie Walsh, fcJ"
"I cannot think of our years on Cory's lane without thinking of George and Mary. Our family was enriched by these two remarkable people. George taught me how to prune a grape arbor and Mary, who helped me with flowers for Tricia's wedding, stepped up to me at Bill's gravesite with a beautiful bouquet of flowers to put on his casket. I will miss them always. Irene Haney"
"Sending our love and condolences across the bridge. Our prayers are with you all. Love, The Attleboro Cousins - Ann, Jane, Freddie, Arleen & Carmina & families."
"CONDOLENCES, GREGORY, AND ALL THE MENDONCA'S FROM A DLS CLASSMATE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO LOSE YOUR MOTHER, BUT TO LOSE BOTH PARENTS AT THE SAME TIME HAS TO BE EXPLAINED BY GOD IN PRAYER. MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY ON 1FEB2004, AGE 94. MAY GOD HOLD YOU ALL IN THE HALLOW OF HIS HAND."
"I will surely miss my cherished friends of many years, George and Mary."
"Dear Mendonca family,from all the staff and volunteers of Green Animals, our condolences for your great loss. We will miss Mary's endless energy, creativity & quick wit. And George's years of hard work and commitment will live on in his garden. They will be missed."
"Marilyn&Lenny; My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.They were wonderful people and very caring and so kind to others.Paula and I always enjoyed their company and enjoyed talking with them.God Bless"