Mary Paiva

New Bedford – Mary (Couto) Paiva, age 99, passed away on Saturday June 20, 2015 at St. Lukes Hospital. She was the widow of Joseph A. Paiva and the daughter of the late Manuel and Rosa (Cambra) Couto.

Born in Fall River, Mrs. Paiva lived in this area most of her life. She was employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Taber Nursing Home and Hill Crest Nursing Home. Mary was a member of the New Creations Prayer Group, Mt. Carmel Choir, Ladies Auxillary Volunteers at St. Luke’s Hospital and the Holy Name and Sacred Heart Prayer Groups.

Mary’s surviving family includes her daughter Cynthia Sears of New Bedford, her sisters: Leontina Lima of New Bedford and Olivia Meinholt of Florida; 4 grandchildren: Scott and Jeffrey Sears, Barbara Jeffrey and Rhonda Amaral; 14 great grandchildren, 10 great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was also the sister of the late Manuel, Joseph and John Couto.

Her funeral will be Tuesday beginning in the funeral home at 9:30 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to take place at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at 10:30 A.M. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will take place in the funeral home on Monday evening from 5 – 8 P.M. Arrangements placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St. New Bedford, Ma 02740