Grace (Rocha) Cruz, 88, of New Bedford died November 23, 2017 unexpectedly at St. Luke's Hospital.
She was the wife of the late John P. Cruz.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Severiano and Carolina (Almeida) Rocha, she lived in New Bedford all of her life.
Mrs. Cruz was a communicant of Our Lady of the Assumption Church.
She was formerly employed by Cherry & Webb for over 20 years until her retirement.
Mrs. Cruz was a foster grandparent at the Boy's and Girl's Club of New Bedford.
Our Amazing Grace was a loving mother, sister, aunt and grandmother and a loyal and steadfast friend. She loved music, singing and dancing. With her appreciation for natural beauty, she grew great pleasure from watching birds. Most of all she cherished each of her children and all of her family members and friends, relishing any opportunity to gather them around her. She was strong, compassionate, generous, humorous and kind.
Survivors include a son, David Cruz of New Bedford; 4 daughters, Barbara Andrade and her husband Alvin Daugherty of Fall River, Joanne Cruz-Souza and her husband Joseph Souza of Norwich, CT, Eileen Cruz of New Bedford and Janet Fitzpatrick and her husband Richard of Lantana, FL; a brother, Luiz Rocha of Riverhead, NY; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was the sister of the late Ezabel Andrade, Maria Almeida and Francisco Rocha.
Her Funeral will be held on Friday at 8 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 9 AM. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 4-8 PM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.