Cecilia B. (Freitas) Tavares, 84, of New Bedford died August 10, 2006 at home surrounded by her family.
She was the wife of the late David S. Tavares.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of Joseph E. and Cecelia (Desmarias) Tavares, she lived in New Bedford most of her life.
She was a communicant of St. James Church where she was a former member of Daughters of Isabella and a former Girl Scout leader.
Mrs. Tavares was formerly employed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare until her retirement.
She attended local schools, and graduated from New Bedford High School in June 1939, and graduated from UMass-Dartmouth in 1986 at the age of 64.
Survivors include 2 daughters, Cecilia "Sue" Riley, and her husband Danny J., of Dartmouth and Mary Lou "Sis" Tavares, and her companion Henry Sarmento, of New Bedford; a beloved granddaughter, Danielle Cecilia Riley; a brother, Norman A. Freitas of Goleta, CA; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joseph S. and M. Agnes Tavares of New Bedford; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Raymond F. Freitas and Mary A. Caetano.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, August 14th at 9 AM in Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church. Visiting hours Sunday, August 13th from 5-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St. New Bedford.