Vilma Teixeira (deAndrade) Knox, 66, of New Bedford died Wednesday March 29, 2006 at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer. She was the wife of James Knox; they had been married for 48 years.
Born in Sao Joao de Meriti, Brazil, the daughter of Agostinho E. deAndrade of Sao Paulo, Brazil and the late Carmelinda (Teixeira) deAndrade, she came to the United States at the age of 15. She lived in New Bedford for most of her life. She became a United States citizen on June 22, 2001.
She was a communicant of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church.
Until her illness, Mrs. Knox worked for many years for the New Bedford School Department in the Carney Academy cafeteria, where she loved being with the children.
Mrs. Knox enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. She was a member of the Women of the Moose Chapter 7, New Bedford Lodge 914.
Survivors include her husband; her father; a son, John Knox, and his wife Andrea, of Acushnet; five daughters, Tammy Mattson, and her husband Randy, of Michigan, Jamie Bouchard, and her husband Bruce, and Annette Knox, and her fiancé Neil Fisher, all of New Bedford, Bonnie Knox and her companion Kaye of Florida, and Heather Tetreault, and her husband Jules, of Leominster; two brothers, Val deAndrade and Vael deAndrade, both of Brazil; 15 grandchildren, Nathan Mattson and his wife Heather, Andrew, Lauren, and Elicia Mattson, Jessica, Brandon, and Brad Bouchard, Keri and James Lepore, Joshua, Lexi, and Jonathan Knox, Olivia and Ryan Tetreault, and Alexis Creaseman; and two great-grandsons, Matthew Cote and Ean Mattson.
She was the grandmother of the late Matthew Alves and sister of the late Veie deAndrade.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, Friday March 31. 2006 at 9 AM. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Thursday March 30, 2006 from 4-8 PM. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.