Maria I. (Mascaranhas) Tavares

New Bedford – Maria I. Tavares, age 84, of New Bedford, MA passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at her home. Born in St. Michael, Azores she was the beloved daughter of the late Joao Mascaranhas and Maria Ermelinda (Teodoro) Mascaranhas, as well as step-daughter of the late Maria G. Lima.

Maria had moved to the U.S. in 1974 and had worked as a machine operator for Columbia Electronics for many years.

Maria is survived by her children, Lucy Soares and her husband Jose of S. Dartmouth, John P. Tavares of New Bedford and Gloria Avelar and her husband Joe of Stoughton; grandchildren, Sandy Urel, Joshua Soares, Lisa Tavares, Andrew Avelar, Heather Avelar, Jennifer Avelar and Michelle DaCosta; 10 great-grandchildren; her sister, Mary Nichols of S. Dartmouth; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was also the grandmother of the late Bryan Tavares and sister of the late Arnaldo Sousa and Bernardo Sousa.

Maria's visiting hours and funeral services will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at Perry Funeral Home. Her visiting hours will be held from 8:00 A.M. -10:00 A.M. with a service to begin at 10:00 A.M. Burial will immediately follow in St. John’s Cemetery.

All attendees are required by current mandated restrictions to wear a face covering at all times, to social distance 6 feet and to please refrain from any close physical contact. Attendance in the funeral home will be limited in order to meet the mandated capacity restrictions and could result with a wait time outside of the funeral home. Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation during this time.

Arrangements are placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home 111 Dartmouth St. New Bedford, MA 02740. Please see our website: www.perryfuneral.com for condolences.