Edith Carmen (Henrique) Codinha, 89, a resident of Provincetown for most of her adult life, died December 30 at Seashore Point following a long illness. Wife of the late fishing Captain Seraphine P. Codinha, Mrs. Codinha was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Following World War II, Mrs. Codinha, who had ties to Provincetown as a child, moved back from California while she awaited her husband’s discharge from the Navy and the birth of their first child. Capt. Codinha, a tuna fisherman in California prior to World War II, eventually acquired his trawler, the F/V Peter and Linda, which were named for his children. The couple was extremely well known in the community for their generosity, especially for activities involving St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church; their commitment Provincetown’s annual Blessing of the Fleet, where Mrs. Codinha made hundreds of lobster salad sandwiches; and for their faithfulness in following all of their children’s and grandchildren’s activities, including leading both a Blue Bird group and a Boy Scout troop when her children were young. When Capt. Codinha retired from fishing, the couple owned and operated Codinha’s Yogurt Shop for over twenty years.
Mrs. Codinha’s parents, the Henriques, had known Capt. Codinha’s family in Gloucester when Capt. Codinha’s family rented an apartment from Edith’s grandmother, Joaquina Emilia. Eventually both families moved to San Diego, California where tuna fishing was extremely lucrative. It was there that the 16 year old Edith and the 21 year old Seraphine were re-acquainted, fell in love and married. They honeymooned by train from California to Gloucester and Provincetown. When Capt. Codinha’s tuna boat was commandeered by the U.S. Navy, Capt. Codinha enlisted and Mrs. Codinha travelled wherever he was stationed until he was sent overseas.
Never one to seek the limelight, Mrs. Codinha was the ultimate volunteer. She dedicated herself to her family, caring for her parents in their final illnesses. When her husband passed away in 1986, she spent a great deal of her time with her sister-in-law Lou Labrincha, a family friend Luana Klabunde and her daughter Linda Codinha O’Brien who shared her love of travel and gambling. Foxwoods and Reno were frequent destinations.
Born April 24, 1924 in Gloucester to the late Portuguese immigrants Manuel and Mary Emilia Henrique, Mrs. Codinha is survived by her son Seraphine P. Codinha, Jr., his wife Mary and her daughter Linda Codinha O’Brien, all of Provincetown; her granddaughter Kara Codinha of Brookline and her grandson Seraphine P. Codinha, III and his wife Autumn of Glen Ellyn, IL; her great-grandson Seraphine P. Codinha, IV and her great-granddaughters Kenley and Bridie, also of Glen Ellyn; her brother Manuel Henrique, Jr. of San Diego, CA; her aunt Marion Thomas of Rochester, MA; her sister-in-law Phyllis Henrique of South Carolina; and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Codinha was pre-deceased by her brother Vincent Henrique, his son Vincent Henrique, Jr. and her son-in-law Robert F. O’Brien.
Family and friends are invited to call at the Gately Funeral Home, 94 Harry Kemp Way, Provincetown on January 3rd from 4 to 6 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, January 4th at noon at St. Peter the Apostle Church, Prince St, Provincetown.
Donations in Mrs. Codinha’s memory may be made to the Provincetown Rescue Squad, PO Box 109, Provincetown, MA 02657 or the American Heart Association, 396 Main St, Suite 15, Hyannis, MA 02601.
View Full Notice → Edith Carmen Codinha 12/30/2013 Provinvetown, MA / Gloucester, MA