Laura (Pina) Andrade, 81, of New Bedford, was called to Heaven on Wednesday April 5, 2006, surrounded by her family at St. Luke's Hospital, after a brief illness.
Born in Marstons Mills, the daughter of the late Charles and Mary (Rosario) Pina, she moved to New Bedford in the late 1950's. She was a graduate of Barnstable High School.
She was a communicant of St. Lawrence Church.
Laura was employed at various places thoroughout her life. She took great pride in assisting the New Bedford Election Commission at the polls on Election Day, always emphasizing the importance of voting.
She unselfishly gave of herself to various organizations throughout her life, including teaching catechism on Cape Cod, being a Cub Scout Den mother, and volunteering for the American Red Cross, the Surplus Food Program, SHARE and the West End Neighborhood Association.
Laura was known for her compassion for others, often opening her home to those in need.
Survivors include three children, Calvin Pina, and his wife Dee, of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., Anthony Andrade, and his companion Mary Parler, and Isabel "Bel" DeBarros, and her husband Dana, all of New Bedford; a sister, Mary Mitte of New Bedford; a brother, Joseph Pina of Osterville; six grandchildren, Thadius, Taquisha, Jijuan, and Shajuana Pina and Erica and Brittany DeBarros; five great-grandchildren, Tataiana, Jaede, Deziree, Dajahe and Jason; a very dear niece, Judith Perry of New Bedford; and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was the great-grandmother of the late Beverly Pina, and sister of the late Louise Mendes, Josephine Perry, Manuel Pina, Proferio "Puffy" Pina and Annie Hull.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday April 10, 2006 at 9 AM in St. Lawrence Church. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford Sunday April 9, 2006 from 1-5 PM.