Fortunata M. Lopes, 92, of New Bedford died April 23, 2013, at St. Luke’s Hospital, surrounded by her loving family, after a brief illness. She was born on June 3, 1920 in Portugal. She was the daughter of the late Fortunato L. and Aurora T. Martins, and the wife of the late Manuel DaSilva and Jose Lopes. She owned and operated a small market in Portugal until her immigration to the United States in 1958. She settled in New Bedford where she worked at D Fillet Company until her retirement.
She was a woman of faith and enjoyed sewing, playing cards and most of all, spending time with her family.
She is survived by two sons, Manuel DaSilva of Puerto Rico, John DaSilva, and his wife Ann of Fairhaven; four daughters, Rosalina T. Cormier of Norwood, Benilda Xiarhos of New Bedford, Margaret Fritze and her husband Paul of Dartmouth, and Maria A. Neves and her husband Stephen of New Bedford; her brother Carlos Martins and his wife Thelma of Falmouth; seventeen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Esmeralda Martins, Deizedeiro Martins, and Ermenalda Alfama.
Her funeral Mass will held on Saturday, April 27th at 8:30 AM, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in New Bedford. Burial will follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Mattapoisett. Visiting hours will be on Friday, April 26th, from 5-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park Street, New Bedford.