Therese M. (Joseph) Gonsalves age 83 of Acushnet died May 23,2011 at home after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was the wife of the late Matthew L. Gonsalves, Jr.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Edward and Eunice (McDonald) Joseph, she lived in New Bedford and Acushnet all of her life.
In 1962, she and her late husband founded The Surrey Shoppe, a specialty gift, jewelry, and home furnishings store in New Bedford operating the family business with her son to this date.
Mrs. Gonsalves was an avid golfer and a member of the Country Club of New Bedford where one of her most memorable achievements was winning the 1980 Annual Ladies Four Ball. She continued to participate in the tournament as a starter for 27 years where she loved rekindling old friendships at the annual event. Her greatest joys were her family and her business. She participated in many Relay for Life events and was very proud of raising a then record amount of money for cancer research as Chairman of the Greater New Bedford ACS fundraising in the 1980’s.
Survivors include her son Joel Gonsalves and his wife Stephanie of Dartmouth; 2 grandchildren, Kylie Gonsalves and Ryan Boswell; a step-grandson, Matthew Witmer; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Edward Joseph and Barbara Gonsalves and the step-mother of the late Gail Witmer.
Her Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 3, at 10 am in St. Julie Billiart Church in Dartmouth which will be preceded by a private family burial in Riverside Cemetery. Visiting hours are omitted. Arrangements are with Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the ACS Relay for Life, 19 Gabriel Farm Drive, Acushnet, MA 02743.