Eunice Fernandes de Oliveira

Eunice Fernandes de Oliveira died on August 3rd, 2020 at  the age of 73.  She was born on June 26th, 1947 to Maria Fernandes and Jose Nunes de Oliveira in Ouca, Vagos, Portugal.  Eunice was a proud resident of Tarrytown where she lived for 60 years, after emigrating from Portugal at age 13 following the untimely passing of her mother.  Eunice was the first of three generations, beginning with her in 1968, to graduate from Sleepy Hollow High School in Sleepy Hollow NY.  Having arrived in America under such intensely difficult circumstances, Eunice quickly developed a coping mechanism that forged her inner strength and moved her to work feverishly and with impeccable organization.  She acquired and mastered the English language by reading newspapers and by appreciating and loving American TV and music.  She did the same in her early twenties when she acquired and mastered the Spanish language, having lived in Caracas Venezuela for several years.  There she married her first and only husband, Mario Cova, and then later gave birth to her only child, Mario David Cova, until returning to New York in 1975. 

A strong believer in education and a life-long learner, among her many achievements, Eunice attended Elizabeth Seton College in Yonkers, NY, where she earned a degree in Paralegal Studies.  Driven by ambition and sacrifice, Eunice would often attend classes with her young son David in tow.  Always creatively entrepreneurial, fiercely independent, vocal and opinionated, and extremely loyal, Eunice cultivated solid relationships throughout Westchester County.  She developed a strong and loyal clientele among the often underserved immigrant and minority communities throughout the lower Hudson Valley where she served as a successful real estate broker for over 30 years working for herself under the Tarrytown-based firm, Eunice de Oliveira Real Estate.  An exceptionally hard worker, Eunice owned and operated two successful businesses for over 10 years and prior to that, she worked as a bank teller in the local community banking industry where she became a friendly and familiar face to so many people in our community.  In her late 20’s, she valiantly challenged issues that impacted her life and fought and advocated tirelessly for herself and her young son at that time, crusading for change during times when many women, especially single mothers didn't always receive fair treatment.  

Eunice was a life-long and extremely proud member of the Portuguese American Community Center of the Tarrytowns, where she participated regularly in community-based events and by contributing to the efforts of the Portuguese/American community throughout the river towns.  She was also a long-time member of The Roman Catholic Church of the Transfiguration.  

Eunice is survived by her beloved only son, Mario David Cova, his wife Kristen, and their 3 children Matthew David Cova, Julianna Marie Cova and Kayla Michalak.  She is also survived by her grandson Aiden Dunn, from her son's previous marriage.  She is also survived by her brother Duarte Fernandes de Oliveira and sister-in-law, Elizabeth, as well as her nephew Edward Oliveira and nieces, AnnaMarie Oliveira and Regina La Rocco.  

Graveside services were held Friday August 7th, 2020 at 10:30 AM at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

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