Dorothy M. (Gracia) Mello, 91, of Dartmouth died Sunday, February 24, 2019 at Hathaway Manor after a long illness. She was the wife of Retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant Manuel C. Mello, Jr., with whom she had shared 68 years of marriage.
Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late Joseph and Alice (Frates) Gracia, she lived in New Bedford and Dartmouth for all of her life.
Dorothy was a communicant of St. Lawrence Martyr Church.
She was a registered nurse, having graduated from the St. Luke's School of Nursing, and was employed as a supervising surgical nurse at St. Luke's Hospital for many years. Subsequently, she worked in various nursing positions. At the time of her retirement, she was employed as a school nurse for New Bedford Public Schools.
Dorothy loved spending time with her grandchildren. She was an avid reader and loved animals.
She is survived by her husband, Manuel; two daughters, Jo-Anne Mello Hodgson and her husband Thomas and Atty. Jane Pineau; two grandsons, Nicholas and Benjamin Pineau; and a nephew, Patrick Mello.
Her Funeral will be held on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 8 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Lawrence Church at 9 AM. Burial will be in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 from 4-7 PM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.