Marguerite E. (Alferes) Canastra, 86, of Fairhaven, passed away peacefully Thursday, October 15, 2020 at home.
Born on her family farm on New Boston Road, Fairhaven, she lived in Fairhaven all of her life. She was the daughter of the late Enos and Noella (Benoit) Alferes. She was the wife of the late Gilbert Canastra.
Marguerite grew up on her family farm driving the tractors, milking cows and climbing the silos, and used to bring the family cows to West Island. She was a mother figure to her siblings.
She was a proud graduate of New Bedford Vocational High School. Marguerite worked as a dietician at St. Luke’s Hospital. She met her husband Gilbert Canastra while bowling in Mattapoisett. She was a stay at home mom who raised their six children. Marguerite worked driving school busses, being a bus escort and giving historical tours for Whaling City Transit. She loved the town of Fairhaven. She was a vocalist for St. Mary’s Church in Fairhaven and enjoyed yodeling. She was the owner of Marguerite’s Sweets where she made wedding cakes. She loved acting in minstrel shows, and making her children perform with her. She spent much of her time with her grandchildren, playing dress-up and making water color paintings. She was a member of the Red Hat Club, Fairhaven Colonial Club, ACTS Faith Formation, St. Mary’s Couples Club, and many prayer groups. Marguerite was famous for her cooking, especially her grape jelly and the meat pies she would make for after the Fairhaven High School football games. She loved consignment shopping and dancing, and was always the life of the party. She was the proud owner of the fishing vessel Marguierite C. She had a special love for the Blessed Mother.
Survivors include her children, Gilbert Canastra and his wife Mary, of Fairhaven, Raymond Canastra and his wife Debra of Lakeville, Jeffrey Canastra and his wife Robin of Fairhaven, Richard Canastra and his wife Roberta of Dartmouth, Jean Rose Canastra of Fairhaven, and Thomas Canastra and his wife Rachel, of Lakeville; her grandchildren, Daniel Canastra, Carolyn Pawlishen, Cassie and Kyler Canastra, Matt Yorston, Bryant Bernier, Justine Canastra, Janelle Canastra, Sophia Canastra, Noella Canastra, and Emma Canastra; her siblings Audrey Horetzke, Thomas Alferes, James “Feathers” Alferes, and Charles Alferes; she also leaves behind four great grandchildren, and many other relatives and godchildren.
She was predeceased by her brothers Daniel and Gerald Alferes.
Her visitation will be held Tuesday, October 20, 2020 from 3-8PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett,. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church in Fairhaven on Wednesday, October 21 at 11 AM. The public is invited to meet directly at Church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Fairhaven Community Nurse and Hospice. For directions and guestbook please visit www.saundersdwyer.com
Please be advised that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there are strict guidelines that must be adhered to for the safety of everyone. You MUST wear a mask to be allowed entry to the services. Please practice social distancing and avoid any close contact. Guests will be permitted to pay their respects and depart to allow the next guests to enter. Capacity at the funeral home will be limited so there could be wait times outside the funeral home. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.