The Lord our God called Lena Sylvia Almeida to her eternal home at the blessed age of 89 on October 24, 2023. She passed so peacefully in Newnan, Georgia after experiencing an unfortunate terminal illness.
Lena came into this world from the union of Eugene and Frances (Rose) Sylvia on June 14, 1934, being the seventh of nine children. She lived and grew up in South Dennis, Massachusetts on the family farm where they grew all their own vegetables and livestock.
A few years after graduating from Yarmouth High School in 1952, Lena married Manuel T. Almeida, and had four children, Michael, Robert, Karen, and Tami. They had their two boys on the Cape and when Robert was less than two years of age, moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts where their two girls were born and lived as a family.
Lena was a hands-on Mom, and did not return to daytime work until her fourth child was in school all day. She loved doing secretarial work, which fit her personality quite well being a very organized person. She functioned better knowing that everything was filed in its proper place. After being hired at the Bristol Superior Court House in the Magistrate's office on June 23,1975, Lena made this her career choice, beginning as a Senior Clerk. She climbed up the ladder receiving many promotions and retired on February 1, 2002 as a Deputy Assistant Clerk of Courts and Office Manager.
Lena was such a pillar of the New Bedford community, especially during the second half of her life. She frequented and supported the local Cape Verdean establishments and went on to acquire an interest in the sport of golf. Not only did she play the game of golf, Lena changed the history of golf, at least for one particular club in Massachusetts. In 1990, Lena Almeida became the first female golfer accepted to play as a member of the 9-18 Golf Club. This remarkable accomplishment, of which her family was so proud, paved the way for many female golfers to join in the years that followed. She received accolades of trophies, plaques, gifts and prizes as her golf game kept improving. It was no surprise to anyone either that she later became the secretary of the 9-18 Golf Club as well, faithfully serving until recent times. Lena also supported the Youth Golf league as well receiving a plaque on June 19, 2023 for her involvement and contributions. Lena loved her golf family and her golf family loved her also.
Our Mother was a quiet observer in the room with a social flair for joining in the conversation if it had any good or fun substance. She was very passionate about reading and had an impressive collection of books. She also enjoyed cooking, going back to Cape Cod where she was born, reading jokes in the Readers Digest, playing solitaire, doing her word search puzzles, keeping an immaculately clean home, and listening to her country music.
Lena truly loved when her family called or came by, as she slowed down from going out in her later years. The company brought her comfort and kept her connected.
Lena was predeceased by her parents and husband, along with her siblings, Jack, Jenny, Gus, Eugene, Tina, Mary, and Rose. She leaves behind her devoted children, Michael Almeida, Robert Almeida (Linda Pina), Karen Almeida Graham, and Tami Almeida Peete (Rev. Willie), and one remaining sibling, Joseph Sylvia, as well as her many precious grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, Godchildren, and extended family members, including special mentions of the following, Jo Jo Fernandes whom she helped raise and was very dear to her, Marie Monteiro, with whom Mom shared a special bond that afforded them the opportunity to travel to many wonderful places together, her 9-18 Golf Club family which made her life lively, plus so many friends that added to her joy of life and neighbors that helped parent her children.
We welcome everyone to celebrate the life of our Matriarch and jewel of a mother, Lena S. Almeida, beginning with a visitation on Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. On Friday, November 3, 2023 we will have her Homegoing Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 47 South Sixth St., New Bedford, followed by the committal service and burial at 12:30 PM at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.