New Bedford – Maria Estrela Santos “Maria Sardinha”, age 95, passed away on Saturday July 2, 2016 at her home. She was the loving wife of the late Antonio Santos and the daughter of the late Antonio Correira and Cecelia (Bento) Matos.
Born in St. Michael, Azores, Mrs. Santos came to this country in 1974 where she devoted herself to care of her family.
Her family includes her children: Floriano Santos, Antonio H. Santos, Fatima Carreiro and Maria deDues Arruda, all of New Bedford, and the late Maria Santa dos Santos; siblings: Maria deParda Martins of Florida, Floriano Correia do Matos, Custodia Bento and Cecelia Bento, all of New Bedford; deceased siblings: Horacio Correia do Matos, Joanna Macaroco, Clotilde Pacheco, Ortenca Pereira, Manuel Correira Matos, Jose Correira Matos and Antonio Correira Matos. She is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Her funeral will be Wednesday beginning in the funeral home at 7:45 A.M. with a Religious Service at Evangelical Pentecostal Church, 129 Hathaway Blvd in New Bedford at 9:00 A.M. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5 – 8 P.M. Arrangements placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St. in New Bedford.