Mary Joaquina GOMES was born on January 10, 1895, in Florida to Francisco  GOMES D’sa (1855-1931) and Laura Etta YOUNG (1875-1955).

Francisco “Frank” GOMES
Laura Etta YOUNG Gomes

SIBLINGS

Mary lived in Punta Rassa, Florida, in 1900. In 1900, Punta Rassa, Florida, USA was a small coastal community located on the southern tip of the mainland. Nestled along the Caloosahatchee River.

The family lived on Mound Key, Florida, in 1900.

https://www.lifeinbonitasprings.com/blog/mound-key-archaeological-site-estero-florida/

Mound Key, near Estero Bay, was developed for 2,000 years by the Calusa. Juan Ponce de Leon landed there in 1513. By 1750, the Spanish left the area after decimating the Calusa through diseases brought by the Spaniards. The Key was homesteaded in 1891 by Frank Johnson and they lived there with other families before selling the property to the Koreshans in 1905. The island is now preserved as a Mound Key Archaeological State Park.

Mound Key Archaeological State Park

Mary Joaquina GOMES married Andrew Lawrence PADILLA in Lee, Florida, on September 20, 1910, and they lived in Boca Grande, Florida.

Andrew PADILLA
Andrew PADILLA
Andrew PADILLA


Their children were:

  • Antonio Lawrence born on June 11, 1911
  • Myrtle Susanna born on August 12, 1913
  • Lee Albert born on April 18, 1915
  • Winifred Mae born on March 12, 1917
  • Raleigh Harding born on December 6, 1920
  • Floyd Andrew born on October 14, 1923
  • Ruth Ella born on February 2, 1928
  • Peggy L  born on February 25, 1935

PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR ANY CORRECTIONS OR UPDATES!

In 1920, Mary and Andrew lived on Imperial River Road in Bonita Springs, Florida near her parents and siblings.

In 1930, Mary and Andrew lived in Eleanor, Florida, in 1930. In 1935, they lived at 2439 Park in Fort Myers, Florida.

TRAGEDY

Mary’s sister Edna passed away on July 26, 1936, in Fort Myers, Florida, at the age of 21. Edna and her husband, Silas were killed when their car was struck by the Atlantic Coast Line train. Their son, Joseph, age 3, survived the crash. 

Mary and Andrew PADILLA were divorced in 1938 in Lee, Florida, after 28 years of marriage. 

Mary Joaquina GOMES married William H. TUCKER in Charlotte, Florida, in 1940. They lived in Fort Myers, Florida and Tucker worked as a laborer with the WPA. Her step-father, Vivian McKINNEY lived with them as a lodger.

IN THE NEWS

In 1942, her brother, King GOMES, was aboard a boat between Key West and Cuba that was torpedoed by a German U-boat. See transcript of the letter written to Mary’s mother, Laura about the even and read the story about the American vessel, Gertrude being torpedoed by a German U-boat. 

American fishing boat boarded and torpedoed by a German Uboat in the Florida Straits in 1942

In 1950, Mary and Tucker lived in Palmona Park, Lee, Florida. Tucker worked erecting signs for the State Road Dept. 

LOSSES

  • Her son Antonio Lawrence passed away on October 23, 1955, in Gasparilla, Florida. 
  • Her sister Florinda Marie died on July 26, 1964, in Palm Beach, Florida. 
  • Her sister Anna Bell died on April 25, 1965, in Fort Myers, Florida. 
  • Her son Floyd Andrew passed away on August 25, 1965. 
  • Her son Lee Albert passed away on March 18, 1966, in Venice, Florida, 
  • Her brother Salvador Sabino “Son” died on May 22, 1966, in Naples, Florida. 
  • Her son Raleigh Harding passed away on July 23, 1966,

Mary Joaquina GOMES died on September 8, 1971, in Sarasota, Florida, when she was 76 years old. She was laid to rest in the Fort Myers Cemetery.

SOURCES:

Ancestry .com; Florida Marriage Collection, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001; Florida, County Marriage Records, 1823-1982; 1900 United States Federal Census; 1910 United States Federal Census; 1920 United States Federal Census; 1930 United States Federal Census; Florida State Census, 1867-1945; 1940 United States Federal Census; 1950 United States Federal Census; Florida Divorce Index, 1927-2001; U.S., City Directories, Fort Myers, 1822-1995; Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current

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