It is with heavy hearts and many wonderful memories, that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Sophie Ferreira Vietas of Bedford, MA, at the age of 105 on Thursday, June 20, 2019.

Sophie was born on March 9, 1914 in Ludlow, MA to Antonio Ferreira of Alcobaca, Portugal and Maria Rosario (Rocha) Ferreira of Vimeiro, Portugal. She is survived by her son, Lawrence Vietas of Newington, NH and daughter Janet Baum of Canton, CT, grandchildren Jack (Serena) Vietas, Stefanie (Michael) St Germain, Jim (Brenda) Baum, Jay (Jennifer) Vietas, Bill (Sharon) Vietas, Bob (Jessica) Vietas , Brooke (Brian) LaFave, and Luke (Emily) Vietas and greatgrandchildren Sofie, Joshua, Cassandra, Holly, Christopher, Monica, Grey, Patrick, Merek, Stephen, Beckett, Matthias, Audrey, Watson, Maggie, John, Jane, Sebastian, Elizabeth, and James. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 60 years, Frank Vietas, son John Vietas, son-in-law Bob Baum and 4 siblings.

Sophie was the first in her Portuguese family to be born in the USA. Family lore tells the story that, as a spunky 14 year old, she wrote to President Coolidge asking permission for her sister and mother to be allowed to return and to settle in the US. The request was granted and the family settled on a farm in Raynham, MA. It was here that she was introduced to her future husband, Frank Vietas.

She dedicated her life to nurturing, sharing traditions and supporting her family over the many years.

Never one to let grass grow under her feet, she had numerous jobs throughout her life, including milk delivery, school lunch lady, gardener and owner of Woodland Gardens. She was a champion sueca player, expert baby holder, dog lover and cook extraordinaire with a lifelong mission to never let anyone leave her table hungry. She traveled extensively with her husband after he retired including a trip of a lifetime around the world. She lived her life by the Golden Rule, she was a thoughtful, kind and generous woman to everyone she met with a smile.

The family would like to thank the staff at Farmington Valley Hospice for their care and compassion.

Visiting hours are at the Bedford Funeral Home, 167 Great Rd., Bedford, MA on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 from 10:00-11:00 AM, followed immediately by funeral services.