Methuen, MA. - Iria F. "Edie"(Branco) Kabala, age 66, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 with her family by her side, at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen,Massachusetts.
Iria or Edie as she was known by her family and many friends, was a resident of Salem, New Hampshire for 40 years, She was born on May 19, 1942 on the island of São Miguel, in the Açores, Portugal. She grew up in South Dartmouth Massachusetts and was educated at New Bedford High School. She worked at Salem Building Supply and the Coca Cola Company as the Office Manager at the time of her retirement.
Edie’s interests include crocheting, arts and crafts of all types, and spending time at Newfound Lake and the ocean. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and family. She was an especially caring and generous person who touched many lives and will be dearly missed.
She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Leonard Kabala of Salem, her mother, Lucy Branco of Dartmouth and God mother Mary Mello. She was predeceased by her father Frank Branco. She was the loving mother of daughter Karen and her husband Michael Regan of Salem, and her son Michael Kabala of Derry N.H. She adored her granddaughters, Samantha, Andrea and Abigale. She is also survived by sisters Connie Kabala and husband Donald of North Dartmouth, Natalie and husband Victor Gonsalves of Fairhaven Ma and nieces and nephews Don Kabala, Lori Rosa, Deana Falcone, Lynn Cousens, Shayna Gonsalves and Adam Gonsalves.
ARRANGEMENTS: A MEMORIAL MASS with cremains present will be held at Saint Mary’s Church, 783 Dartmouth St., South Dartmouth,Ma., Friday, April 24, 2009 at 11 A.M. Relatives and friends are invited to meet at the church. Directions are available from the funeral home. Contributions in Edie’s memory may be made to the ALS Association, New England Chapter, 10 Ferry Street, Suite 438, Box 314, Concord, N.H. 03301. Contact information: 603-226-8855/ www.alanne.org.
Arrangements made thru the Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth Street, New Bedford, Ma. 508-993-2921.