Hilda Ribeiro, 97
Dateline: Norton, MA
Hilda (Rocha) Ribeiro, age 97, of Norton, passed away peacefully, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her adoring family on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. She was the beloved wife of John J. Ribeiro, to whom she was wed for seventy-three years.
Born in Taunton, MA on May 1, 1926, she was a loving daughter of the late Gregorio and Maria (Fernandes) Rocha.
Hilda grew up in Taunton and was a 1944 graduate of Taunton High School. Along with her family, she was an owner and shared in the day-to-day operations at the former Country Haven Nursing Home in Norton and the former Sharon Manor Nursing Home in Sharon. She was also an owner and operator of the former Frates Dairy and Restaurant, a former town landmark on Mansfield Avenue in Norton.
A resident of Norton for over sixty-five years, Hilda was a longtime active communicant of Saint Mary’s Church in Norton. Her church involvements included being part of the Catholic Women’s Club, the Daughters of Isabella, singing in the church choir and generously donating her time with many church charities. She was also a thirty-two-year charter member of the Norton Community Lions Club.
Hilda’s favorite times by far were those spent in the presence of her precious family. She especially treasured being surrounded by her grandchildren and great grandchildren and attending and cheering on at all of their events. Along with her husband John, Hilda was very involved with the Catholic University of Portugal. Her hobbies included worldwide traveling, bowling, dancing and in later years dancing in her chair. Hilda will be deeply missed and will always be remembered by her family and all who knew and loved her for her incredible charitable nature.
In addition to her husband, she was the devoted mother and best friend of Carol Navedo and her husband Juan of Norton and the late John “Jay” Ribeiro, Jr. She was the cherished and extremely proud grandmother of Dylan Ribeiro and his wife Shelby of Norton, Jennifer Barba and her husband Scott of Taunton, Lorie LeTellier and her husband Michael of Westfield, Sean Ribeiro of Norton, David Navedo of Brockton, Nikki Ribeiro of Norton, Michael Navedo and his wife Jackie of Worcester and the great grandmother of Alexis, Pace, Madden, Michael, Christopher, Mason and Anthony. She was the dear sister of Barbara Ann George and her husband John of Taunton and the late Maria Andrade, Laurinda Neugeboren, Alveda Rocha, Dr. Gregory Rocha, Jr. and Leonard Rocha. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours on Tuesday, July 18th from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home, 19 Clapp Street (Off Route 140, Taunton Avenue) Norton.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 19th at 11:00 A.M. in Saint Mary’s Church, 1 Power Street, Norton. Burial will follow at the Newland Cemetery in Norton.
Those wishing may remember Hilda with a donation in her memory made to Saint Mary’s Church, 1 Power Street, Norton, MA 02766.
To send her family a message of condolence, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com