Joana (Fonseca) Varela, 91, of New Bedford passed away Saturday April 16, 2022 peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of Pedro Varela.
Born and raised in Brava, Cape Verde, the daughter of the late Maria daFonseca, she resided in New Bedford for the past 27 years.
Joana was the loving matriarch of her large family. She enjoyed spending time at casinos and trying her luck scratching lottery tickets.
She is survived by her husband Pedro; nine children, Orlando DaRosa, Jose Varela, Paula Varela, Lourenca Varela, Daniel Varela, Gabriel Varela, Alcinda Varela, Helena Varela, and Eurico Varela; 42 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was the mother of the late Joao DaRosa.
Her Funeral will be held on Saturday April 23th at 8 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 9 AM. Burial will be in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held on Friday April 22nd from 4-8 PM. For online condolence book, please visit www.saunderdwyer.com.