Maria C. (Cunha) Cunha, 80, of Lowell, passed away peacefully at home, Wednesday, February 3, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Floriberto T. DaCunha, who died in 2001.
A daughter of the late Manuel Lobão DaCunha and the late Alexandrina (DeConceicao) Bettencourt, she was born December 11 1940, in Graciosa, Portugal, and was raised and educated in that area. While living in Graciosa, she worked on the farms and did embroidery.
Maria met the love of her life, Floriberto, when he was visiting Graciosa, and shortly after they married and in 1975, she relocated to the United States and started her life here.
She made her home in Lowell’s Back Central Street Neighborhood, and was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church. In Lowell, she worked in the area shoe factories as a machine operator and Joan Fabrics until disability forced her retirement in the 1990’s. Her hobbies included crocheting and anything to do with flowers because she loved them. Her favorite past time was spending time with her family and she adored her grandchildren and helped to raise and care for them since they were born.
Her survivors include her children, Darlene M. Picanco and her husband, Rui, of Lowell and Edward L. Cunha of Lowell; her grandchildren, Jonathan Picanco of Lowell, Nicholas Picanco of Lowell, and Juliana Picanco of Lowell; her sisters, Leontina DaSilva and her husband, Arturo, of Graciosa, and Lucia Vasconcelos and her husband, Josefo of Lowell; her brother in law, Durval Machado of Toronto, Canada; as well as many nieces and nephews including Maria Guadalupe DaSilva, Fatima Silva, and Danny Vasconcelos who were all very dear to her and including many more and her many great nieces and great nephews, especially Kelly Cunha whom she loved dearly.
She was predeceased by five of her siblings.
While practicing social distancing guidelines and wearing a mask, you are invited to Her Calling Hours from 2 until 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 7, at the MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Her Funeral Mass at St. Anthony Church and burial in St. Mary Cemetery will be held on Monday privately. The family would like to thank Merrimack Valley Hospice team for the comfort and caring they gave her during her last few weeks in the comfort of her home.