At nineteen, with only four years of formal education and a heart full of hope, Mary Roy left her small island home in São Jorge, Azores, and stepped into the unknown. Alone in a new land, she faced challenges, embraced opportunities, and built a life filled with family, faith, and the pursuit of dreams.
Through trials, triumphs, and the joys of raising three children in a foreign country, Mary discovered the power of courage, resilience, and gratitude. From learning to ski in Lake Tahoe to exploring the beauty of the Azores and America’s heartland, her story is a testament to the unyielding human spirit.

Coming to America is more than a memoir; it is a celebration of faith, family, and the freedom to dream. Inspiring and heartfelt, this book invites readers to reflect on their own journeys, embrace the possibilities of life, and never underestimate the value of perseverance, love, and hope.
This story began as my mother’s memoir.
In 2016, Mary Roy wrote down the memories of her life so that her children and grandchildren would know where our family came from. She wrote with honesty and simplicity, capturing the struggles, faith, and determination that shaped her journey from a small island in the Azores to a new life in America.

Ten years later, I felt compelled to bring her story to life in a new way.
With deep respect for her words and memories, I have expanded and re-authored this memoir, adding detail, dialogue, and narrative so that readers can better see, hear, and feel the moments that shaped her life. My goal has been to preserve her voice while presenting her story as a fully realized book for a wider audience.
This new edition also includes images created to help readers visualize the people, places, and experiences that filled her remarkable journey.
Though the storytelling has been enhanced, the heart of the story remains hers.
It is the story of my mother, our family, and the courage of an immigrant life guided by faith, perseverance, and hope.
— JP Leonel