Myra A. (Powers) Lopes, 82, of Fairhaven died November 30, 2013 at home after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis surrounded by her loving family.
She was the beloved wife of Curtis L. Lopes with whom she shared 58 years of marriage.
Born in Nantucket, daughter of the late Captain Leo J. and Mary Ellen (Moriarty) Powers, she lived in Boston before moving to Fairhaven in 1940.
Mrs. Lopes was a graduate of Fairhaven High School, class of 1950 with honors, received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Bridgewater Teachers College in 1954. She later received a certificate in 1973 from the Gesell Institute of Child Development, a diploma in 1982 from the Institute of Children's Literature, a diploma in 1984 from the Writers Institute of Journalism and in 1994 attended the Granting Writing Program at Southeastern Massachusetts University.
She was the proprietor and principal of the Sheri-Ka Kindergarten for sixteen years and a former teacher in the Fairhaven School System. She was a Parent Coordinator and Fund Raiser in Fairhaven School System for Books and Beyond Reading Program, President of the Board of Trustees Millicent Library, Past President of the Fairhaven Improvement Association, Honorary member of the Board of Directors of the Fairhaven Improvement Association, Past President of the Heritage Center, former Board of Directors of the Fairhaven High School Hall of Fame, Historian of the Joshua Slocum Society International, member of the Centennial Committee Fairhaven Town Hall, Past President of the Board of Directors Rotary Club of Fairhaven, member of the Rotary Club International/ Scholarship and Membership Committees and the recipient of a Paul Harris Award. She was one of the founding members of the Fairhaven Dollars for Scholars Chapter.
Mrs. Lopes was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church in Fairhaven.
She and her husband Curtis were selected Couple of the Year in Fairhaven in 2010, she was the MOLIFE Woman of the Year 2008, the Bridgewater State College Alumni Association Dr. Adrian Rondileau Award for Professional and Community Service, International Writer Award 2004, America's Hall of Fame 2004, International Peace Prize 2003, International 500 Notable Women 1998, Fairhaven Woman of the Year 1998, Who's Who of Contemporary Achievement 1997, Fairhaven High School Hall of Fame 1997, International Woman of the Year 1996, 1995, Presidential Seal of Honor 1996, Distinguished Leadership Award for Outstanding Contributions to Contemporary Society, Fairhaven Improvement Association Outstanding Committee Service Award (shared with her husband) 1995, International Professional and Business Women's Hall of Fame for outstanding Achievement in the field of Literature and Education, 1994, Who's Who of Professional and Business Women 1994, Twentieth Century Award of Achievement, National Reference Institute Who's Who in American Education, Silver Shield of Valor Humanitarian Award 1992, Outstanding Volunteer Service Award YMCA 1985, Marquis Awards 1991-2004 Who's Who in American Education, Who's in the East, Who's Who of American Women, World Foundation of Successful Women and Woman of the Year.
She served as Director of Personnel YMCA 1985, Chairman (with her husband) of the Fairhaven Homecoming Day Fair from 1995-2008, Chairman Homecoming Day Fair 1991-1992, Chairman of Beautification Committee Fairhaven Improvement Association 1990-2004, Chairman Community Relations YMCA 1987, Board of Directors YMCA 1985-2000, Chairman Community Relations Community Representative Fairhaven High School Council, Chairman of numerous charity drives, President of PTO's in the Fairhaven School System, actively involved in fund raising for Music Programs and Chairman Fund Raising Fort Phoenix 5K Road Race.
Mrs. Lopes was the author of twenty-three books of local history as well as children's books.
She was the moderator in documentary Joshua Slocum: New World Columbus film by Peter Rowe a Great North Alliance Atlantic Production. The film was based on her interview about Captain Slocum.
She was known for her love of family, love of town, genuine kindness and a giving heart.
Survivors include her husband; a son, Dennis Lopes of Tampa, FL; 3 daughters, Sherry Lopes and her husband Bud Wilson, Kathy Lopes and Becky Alix Lopes and her partner Jacqui McDonnell, all of Fairhaven; a brother-in-law, Edward Loughlin of Fairhaven; a sister-in-law, Athena Demers of Newport, RI; 6 beloved grandchildren, Stephanie Ladd and her husband Kevin of Newburyport, David Wilson of Fairhaven, Ashley Lopes and Amy Lopes, both of Mesquite, TX and Dustin Lopes and Donovan Lopes, both of Denver, CO; 8 great-grandchildren, a great-great-grandson; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.
She was the mother of the late Curtis L. Lopes, II and the sister of the late Ruth Loughlin, Betty Powers, Jane Howland and Gerald Bishop.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 AM in St. Joseph's Church in Fairhaven. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Visiting hours Wednesday from 3-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St. New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Fairhaven Dollars for Scholars Myra A. Lopes Memorial Scholarship, c/o Dan Waltz, Southern Mass Credit Union 123 Alden Rd. Fairhaven, MA 02719. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.