New Bedford – Isabel Varela Rodrigues, age 77 of New Bedford, passed away on Monday April 27, 2015 at St. Luke’s Hospital. She was the wife of Joao Rodrigues and the daughter of the late Margarida (Lopes) and Domingos Varela.
Born in Praia, Cape Verde, Isabel came to this country in 1986 and worked for Purity Linen Services until her retirement.
She was a simple woman who loved to cook and always kept her family as her first priority.
Her family includes 8 children: the late Joao Varela, Augusto Varela of Cape Verde, the late Norberta Varela, Antonio Varela, Maria Filomena Correia, Manuel Varela Rodrigues, all of New Bedford, Henrique Rodrigues of Worcester and Francisco Rodrigues of New Bedford; 3 siblings: Angela Santos Varela and Felix Varela, both of Cape Verde and the late Alexander Varela; as well as 32 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Her funeral will begin in the funeral home on Friday at 8:00 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at Our Lady of Assumption Church at 9:00 A.M. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will take place in the funeral home on Thursday evening from 6 – 8 P.M. Arrangements placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St. New Bedford, Ma 02740.