Maria A. Goncalves, age 87, of Woburn, formerly of Arlington, passed away at her home of natural causes on, May 8th, 2021, surrounded in love by her family.
Maria was the beloved wife of Rolando Goncalves. Devoted mother of Roland Goncalves and his wife Jeanne of Lakeville, Nelson Goncalves and his wife Maria of Wilmington, Carlos Goncalves and his wife Leonor of Santee, CA, and Lubelia Goncalves-Getty and her late husband David Getty of Woburn. She was the loving grandmother to Shauna Goncalves, Eric Goncalves, Nick Goncalves, Roland Goncalves, Brian and Kevin Goncalves and Sienna Getty. She was great-grandmother of 8. Daughter of the late Bento and Januaria (deJesus) Raposo. She was the sister of Louis Raposo and Lorena Hatton. She was preceded in death by her brothers Manuel Raposo and Liduino Soares and sister Amelia Paulo. Maria is also survived by many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Maria is a late member of the Portuguese-American Civic League Ladies Council of Cambridge & Somerville. She was also a Past Chairwoman (Mordoma) of the Holy Ghost Committee of the Portuguese-American Civic League of Cambridge & Somerville. She was also a Past member of the Liberty Club of Cambridge. Maria also worked for Tufts University's Medford Campus Grounds and Buildings from 1977 to 1986.
Maria was a beautiful, kind, sensitive and funny soul. She had an inner strength about her that was unwavering. Always working hard and determined to make sure everyone had what they needed and wanted. Maria had a passion for many things. She loved to cook, sew and tend to her garden all self-taught and somewhat of a Martha Stewart of her day. She absolutely loved flowers and plants. She also loved to travel and was able to travel abroad several times and visit her son and his family in California as well as Hawaii and Florida often. She spent many summer weekends on Cape Cod with her children and their families cooking and enjoying their company.
Maria enjoyed her time attending Conventions at different locations across the state for the Portuguese-American Civic League where her husband held various positions. She always looked forward to enjoying time with their friends there. Most of all Maria loved her children, always wanting the best life had to offer to them and being extremely proud of all their many accomplishments. She will always be loved and remembered.
Funeral services will be held from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., WOBURN, Friday, May 14th, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass celebrated in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham, at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with burial at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, from 3 to 7 p.m. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Maria's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452.