Mary “Bea” (Cruz) Fortes, 90, of New Bedford passed away peacefully on Monday May 2, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Paul Fortes.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Joao Baptista Cruz and Justa (Pina) Cruz, she lived in New Bedford all of her life.
She was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Church and a member of the Cape Verdean Women’s Club.
Mary was formerly employed as a sales clerk at Cherry and Webb where she assisted her many customers with their shopping needs for over 25 years. She later was a substitute teacher for the PACE – Head Start child development program where she nurtured her students as if they were her own children and grandchildren. With her signature smile and warm greetings, she was well known and much loved throughout the Greater New Bedford community. If you met Mary in her travels, you could not get by her without receiving a big hug, kiss, and God bless you. She will be deeply missed by all.
She is survived by her loving children, Paula Fortes Poole and her husband Trent, Donna L. Duarte, Stephen P. Fortes, and Lori A. Fortes; her devoted sister, Olive Rose; her sisters-in-law, Doris Carmo and Irene Ramos; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, comadres, compadres, and Godchildren.
She was predeceased by her grandson, Duane Barboza, her son-in-law, Cezar Duarte, and her siblings, Margie Gomes, Edward B. Cruz, Antone B. Cruz, and John B. Cruz.
Her Funeral will be held on Monday May 9, 2022 at 10 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 11 AM. Burial will be in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Sunday May 8, 2022 from 2-6 PM. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.