Joana Lucia (Nogueira) Alves Nunes, age 74, passed away surrounded by her family and friends on March 25, 2024 at Baystate Medical Center. Joana’s family would like to thank the Baystate Medical Team for the care and love shown to her over the past few weeks.
She was born in Santa Valha, Portugal on March 15, 1950 to the late Gualdino Nogueira and Laurinda Alves. At 15 years of age Joana moved to Luanda, Angola where she would meet and marry her husband and start her family. Leaving Africa, and moving back to Portugal, Joana and her family eventually made their way to New Haven, CT and then finally settled in Chicopee, MA.
For Joana, serving as the center of her family was the highlight of her life. Cooking and providing for her husband and two sons and working as a skilled seamstress were her passions.
A proud member of her community and neighborhood, Joana was an avid gardener and also a communicant of the former Holy Name Parish.
She is predeceased by her husband Domingos P. Nunes who passed away in 2013 and also by her son Alcide Nunes and her sister Lucilia Alves Nogueira. She is survived by her two sons, Aristides “Ed” Nunes of Chicopee and Nuno Nunes and his partner Amy Lauren Miller of Salem, MA; one brother Agostinho Nogueira and his wife Ana of Portugal along with many extended family members and friends, both locally and in Portugal.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at the Grise Funeral Home, 280 Springfield St, Chicopee. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday April 4, 2024 from 9:30 – 10:30 AM at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Rose de Lima Church at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
For online condolences, please visit www.GriseFH.com.