New Bedford – Maria Adelaide (deSimas) Alves, age 88 years, died Sunday, March 23, 2008 at Hathaway Manor Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late Manuel Alves Also Known as "Mestre Simao". Mrs. Alves was the mother of Manuel Alves of S. Dartmouth, Antonio Alves of New Bedford, Jose Alberto Alves of San Jose, Ca., Estella Pacheco of San Jose, Ca, Fernanda Ramos of Berkley, MA, Olga Sousa of New Bedford, and Grace Silva of N. Dartmouth. She was the sister of Elmo Melo of New Bedford, Aldemiro Machado of New Bedford, Manuel Melo of Terceira, Azores, Estella Simas of New Bedford and Arminda DaSilva of New Bedford. Mrs. Alves is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs Alves was the sister of the late Alina Sao Joao, Olga Goulart, and Izilda Nunes.
Mrs Alves was born in Pico, Azores and moved to the New Bedford area in 1966. She was the daughter of the late Candida (Nunes) and Clodemiro deSimas Machado. She worked as a stitcher at Riveredge Clothing until her retirement. Mrs. Alves loved gardening and crocheting and was a member of the International Ladies Garment workers Union. She was a member of the first Portuguese Baptist Church.
Mrs. Alves' funeral will take place at Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St. on Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. followed by a service at 10:30 A.M. Burial will follow at Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Wednesday evening from 6-9 P.M. Relatives and friends are invited.