Boston - Philomena (Leitao) Figueiredo, 66, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2020 after a four-year battle with Amyloidosis at Massachusetts General Hospital Lunder 9, holding her husband’s hand.
Born on November 18, 1953 in New Bedford, MA, Philomena was the daughter of Manuel & Isabel Leitao. She grew up in New Bedford, attending Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish and went to Bishop Stang High School (Class of 1971).
On August 25, 1972, Philomena married the love of her life, Kenneth Figueiredo after a whirlwind romance. They moved to Silver Springs, MD and later had one daughter, Diane.
After living in Silver Springs, MD, Belmont and Brockton, MA, they settled in New Jersey for several years. Philomena went from being a stay at home mom to an officer at Morris County Savings Bank, working in the Mortgage Department. During this time, she took undergraduate classes at Fairfield University. She also volunteered as her daughter’s Brownie and Girl Scout troop leader while the family resided in Vernon, NJ.
Philomena & Kenneth decided to return to Massachusetts to be closer to family. They built a home in East Sandwich, MA where they lived for twenty years. Their time on the Cape was filled with many milestones and memories. Philomena, with her husband, served in many ministries at the family’s parish, Corpus Christi. During those years, they celebrated anniversaries, holidays, the wedding of their daughter, and the births of their grandchildren. Nothing brought Philomena more joy than her two grandchildren, Isabel Marie and James Kenneth. They were the light of her life.
In 2010, they decided to make the big move to Boston. Philomena loved living in Boston. Philomena and Kenneth would enjoy many good years in Boston. They loved going out to dinner, walking around Newbury St, Columbus Park, attending the Boston Ballet, and the Symphony.
In 2016, their walks and dinners out would be cut short when Philomena was diagnosed with Amyloidosis. The family is grateful to the care she received from her doctors and nurses at MGH, in particular the incredible staff of Lunder 9, the cancer center, and the kidney center. Their care and attention enabled Philomena to spend precious time with her family.
The family is also grateful to staff at their residence, the Devonshire. Many looked out and took care of Philomena, and provided much appreciated support to her and her husband.
Philomena is survived by her devoted husband of nearly 48 years, Kenneth Figueiredo, her daughter, Diane and son-in-law, Jamie Pitney, her grandchildren, Isabel and James, and her second mother, Constantina Leitao, as well as, many other family and friends.
She will be remembered on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 beginning with a brief viewing at Perry Funeral Home from 9:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M. and followed by a Rite of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Mount Carmel at 10:30 A.M. Immediately following the Mass, her burial will be held at St. John's Cemetery.
All attendees for visiting hours and church services are required by current mandated restrictions to wear a face covering and to practice social distancing of 6 feet. Attendance will be limited at both places in order to meet the mandated capacity restrictions.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in honor of Philomena Figueiredo to Massachusetts General Hospital @giving.massgeneral.org, please designate the gift to MGH Cancer Center.
Arrangements are placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth Street in New Bedford.