Kathleen A. “Kathi” (Gomes) Tench, 65, passed away at home on Thursday, January 21, 2021. Kathi was born in Acushnet and was the daughter of the late Alfred R. Gomes and the late Mildred R. (Watkins) Gomes. She was the sister of the late Bradley Gomes and the late Stuart Gomes. She lived in New Bedford most of her life. Kathi was a graduate of the first graduating class of the “new” New Bedford High School in 1973.
Kathi was the Supervisor of Bookkeeping for New Bedford Public Schools, where she worked serving the New Bedford community for 45 years.
She touched so many lives throughout her life as she took great pride in her work and in the students, families, staff, and people she interacted with. She was an active member of the Our Lady of the Assumption Church in New Bedford where she attended Mass, was a counter, and she even helped teach religious education classes. Kathi was a Team Mom for many years for Tonka’s Tumblers, which she took great pride in.
Kathi loved the color orange, reading, earrings to match every outfit, music, basketball, Foxwoods and scratch tickets, but most of all spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. She made everyone feel special and took time to develop meaningful relationships with everyone she met. Kathi truly was a “Superwoman” and leaves behind a wonderful legacy.
Kathi is survived by her brothers, William Watkins, Alfred “Rocky” Gomes, and Wayne Gomes, all of New Bedford; her sisters, Virgina Marcelino of North Carolina, Janice Gomes, Nancy Costa, and Geraldine “Gerri” Livramento, all of New Bedford; her sons, Bruce W. Tench, II, of Fairhaven and Brendan W. Tench, of New Bedford; her granddaughters, Jayda, Aria, and Avielle; numerous nieces and nephews; and loving extended family members.
Her visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 from 4-7 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Due to COVID-19 capacity restrictions, her Funeral Mass and burial will be held privately. For directions and guestbook, 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.