Rita M. (Connick) Amaral, 85, of New Bedford died Sunday September 11, 2016 at St. Luke's Hospital. She was the wife of the late Albert C. Amaral.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Melvin H. and Harriet E. (Higgins) Connick, she lived in New Bedford for most of his life.
Mrs. Amaral was formerly employed as a teacher's aide for the New Bedford School Department until her retirement.
She was an avid Boston Red Sox fan.
Survivors include two children, Lisa Amaral and her companion Kevin Barboza of Middleboro, and Michael Amaral and his companion Rachel Frieden of New Bedford; two grandchildren, Shashawna Santiago Amaral of New Bedford, and Matthew Witmer of Colorado; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her daughter Gail Witmer and her siblings, Kathleen Shorey Loureiro Arsenault and Melvin H. Connick, Jr.
Her Memorial Service will be held on Friday at 11 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 10-11 AM prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American Lung Association, 14 Beacon St., Suite 717, Boston, MA 02108. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.