Laurinda Da Conceicao Ginja peacefully entered eternal rest on June 9, 2024 in her home in Mont Vernon, New Hampshire. Born in a small village in Tinalhas, Portugal, Laurinda was the daughter of Francisco Jorge dos Santos and Maria do Rosario Eusebio. While in Portugal, she spent numerous years as an elementary school teacher in Vale do Figueira, Portugal. That passion for education would carry on years later as she would often teach her grandchildren Portuguese, as well as techniques for how to knit the perfect blanket (for anyone in possession of a coveted Vovo blanket, hold it close). In 1958, she married the love of her life, Joao Ginja, and moved to Lisbon where they began their family and welcomed the birth of their son, Francisco. In 1969, they made the decision to immigrate to the United States and found themselves building the next chapter of their life in Nashua, New Hampshire.
As Laurinda embarked on her new life, she was employed by Horton and Hubbard luggage manufacturing company, Hampshire Manufacturing, and later on at Teradyne Connection systems where she retired in 1992. Laurinda and her family invited the essence of Portugal into their lives where they could. Imagine a garden brimming with fresh vegetables for a hearty pot of Caldo Verde, and grape vines for home-made wine to enjoy at family gatherings. A backyard filled with friends and family, grilled sardines and Sagres beer wouldn’t be an uncommon sight.
Embracing Portuguese traditions, especially with loved ones, was essential to creating a sense of home. After becoming a United States citizen, she helped her siblings, Tomas Santos and Celeste Ramalhinho, immigrate to the United States, leading to generations of family to develop their roots.
For anyone that knew Laurinda, you’d know that she loved to cook. If you said you weren’t hungry, you were lying. If you said “chega,” you got one more spoonful of soup. Laurinda, her sister and niece would spend hours in the kitchen making filhós during the holidays or catching the kitchen on fire using aguardente to make Borrachões. Laurinda will be forever missed and no bowl of Caldo Verde will ever taste as good.
She is survived by her son Francisco Ginja and daughter-in-law Janet M Ginja of Mont Vernon NH, her grandsons, Evan J Ginja of Weymouth Massachusetts and Ryan D Ginja of Los Angeles, as well as her great-granddaughter Luisa Vera Ginja Leong and fur-grandchildren Desi and Otto. She also leaves behind her sister Celeste Ramalhinho of Nashua NH and brother Francisco Santos of Tinalhas Portugal and many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua, Thursday evening, June 13th from 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Infant Jesus Church (St. John XXIII Parish), 121 Allds Street, Nashua, Friday, June 14th at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Louis Cemetery. Friends are invited to attend. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com
