Mecia Jardim, 87, of Raleigh, NC, passed away on 1 November 2026 after battling Alzheimer’s. She was born in Ponta do Pargo on the Portuguese island of Madeira, on 20 March 1939, the daughter of the late Antonio Camara and Georgina Monginho.

Mecia was the devoted wife of Antonio (Tony) Jardim for 50 years. Throughout their marriage they travelled the world and built a lifetime of memories. Their favorite and most frequent destination was the island of Madeira, Portugal where both were born.

Quick to help anyone who asked, Mecia was always there to give advice or lend a sympathetic ear. She was a bright spot in the lives of all who knew her. Her playfulness, love, and presence that we all treasured will be greatly missed.

Mecia was an accomplished seamstress whose draperies and beddings grace the homes of so many family and friends - anyone who met Mecia soon became her friend, so her artistry can be found far and wide. She loved growing vegetables, tending her fruit trees, and cooking traditional Portuguese meals for her family - most notably her canja (chicken soup). Nobody could make canja like Mecia.

More than anything else, Mecia valued and loved spending time with family. Being surrounded by family brought Mecia her greatest joy.

Mecia was preceded in death by both her parents, her husbands, Antonio Jardim and Jose Ribeiro; her children, Orlando Ribeiro, Maria dos Angeos Ribeiro, and Jose Umberto Ribeiro; her sisters, Lidia and Agostinha; her beloved dog Machico; and by far too many others dear to our hearts. Mecia is survived by her daughter Maria (Kevin) Perveiler of Raleigh, NC; her daughter-in-law, Marina Ribeiro of Claremont, FL; grandchildren, Francesca (Dino) Lackey of Lake Mary, FL; Nicole (David) Hall of Claremont, FL; Ashley Perveiler of Raleigh, NC; Vaughn (Erin) Perveiler of Philadelphia, PA; five great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by two brothers, Manuel Camara and Joao Camara; and by dozens of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, November 10th, 2026 at 11am at Renaissance Funeral Home. Family and friends are welcome to a gathering with refreshments immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mecia to the Alzheimer’s Association.