VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. – Louisa Souza Slater, age 88, passed away July 9th, 2017 peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving family, after a 10 year battle with cancer.

She is survived by her brother Frank, her daughters Debra and Sarah, her son Don, and her daughter-in-law Deborah. Her grandchildren Joe and wife Brittani, Sean, Billy, Adam, Sabian, Charlie, and Abigail, and her two great grandchildren Adrianna and Joey. Nieces and Nephews, John and Rosemary, Theresa-Marie and Terry, Anthony and Marti, Lisa and Frank, and Micheal.

Since 1958 Louisa raised two children as a single mother working in a shoe store in Massachusetts. An independent woman in an age before independent women. During that time, Louisa never met a stranger. Always smiling, her radiant personality and amazing work ethic allowed her to quickly advance to managing the store, and then becoming district manager, and ultimately opening her own store, LOUISA’S BOOTERY, in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

After her children insisted she retire in Virginia Beach, Louisa moved south and bought a house near her family, and next door to neighbors she would quickly consider family, Mike and Joanna Wauhop to the right of her house, and her beloved friend Becky and husband Jeff to the left.

Louisa’s retirement was short-lived, as her boundless energy led to responding to an ad in the newspaper for a two-week Christmas time job at JC Pennys. 15 years later, Louisa left JC Pennys having won every award avaliable multiple times, even turning down management positions so that she could stay doing what she loved the most, being with people.

Louisa’s love for family and friends is also shown in her kitchen. A weekend at “Grandma’s” house has always meant one thing, a boiled dinner. Nothing made her happier than having her enormous kitchen table filled with hungry family and friends eager to eat her delicious homemade Portuguese meal.

Louisa’s warmth extended beyond just for people. Her profound love for her pets followed throughout her life. From her dogs, birds, or cats, the happiest pets you could find were always at Louisa’s house.

Louisa’s wish of being united with her twin sister Hilda can now finally come to pass, as we can be sure that her last words, that sum Louisa up so well, will be spoken once again:

“I love you more.”

A service of remembrance will be held at St Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 3201 Edinburgh Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23452, on July 15th at 1pm.

A very special thank you to Dr. Lipton and his family for being more than just a doctor, but a true friend, and whose birthdays will always remembered by Louisa.

Special Personal messages can be sent to www.facebook.com/lou.slater.7 or search for her on Facebook under Lou Slater