FALL RIVER – Madeline Arruda, age 78, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2021 at Charlton Memorial, comforted by the voices of her loving family and the listening to her granddaughter singing her, her favorite Ed Sheeran song “Thinking Out Loud”. Madeline felt this song perfectly epitomized her life with her husband Dr. Kenneth J. Arruda, her soul mate, best friend and love of her life of 54 years. Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Olivia (John) Correira. Along with her husband she is survived by her son Dr. Keith J. Arruda and his wife Dr. Eudoxia Tsongalis-Arruda of Somerset; grandchildren Casey K. Arruda and Lindsey E. Arruda; sister Caroline Mastriano; brother-in-law Dominic Mastriano; along with her nephews and niece.
Madeline was an accomplished registered nurse. She was educated at Union Hospital Nursing School and Boston University. She was assistant head nurse at Union Hospital in Fall River, Children’s Hospital and New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston. She was also the business manager at Center for Family Vision in Fall River, for many years. Madeline was one of the kindest and most amazing women God put on this Earth. She was not only a brilliant nurse, amazing mother, sister, aunt and friend, but also the best grandma, role model and friend to her grandchildren, whom she loved with all her heart.
She was a fighter until the very end, but despite taking every precaution, the virus was just more than her body could handle. The last thing she did before being put on a ventilator was pump her right fist in the air and declare ‘I’m fighting, I’m fighting.’ She would want all of us to keep fighting too.
The best way to honor her memory now is to follow her example by being kind to one another, loving with your whole heart and spreading happiness wherever you go. Her favorite Disney character, Winnie the Pooh summed it up best when he said...’How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.’
Arrangements were under the direction of the Manuel Rogers Funeral Home 1521 N. Main St. Fall River. In lieu of flowers/cards please consider a donation to your favorite charity in her name. A celebration of life will be held at a later time when it is safe to do so. To send the family Expressions of Sympathy, please go to www.rogersfuneral.com.