Lillian (Tina) D. Pinto

New Bedford – Lillian (Tina) D. Pinto, 97, of New Bedford Massachusetts, passed away on, January 5, 2022, after a period of declining health at the Oaks Nursing Home. She was the widow of Johnny Pinto and the longtime companion of the late Jack Gonsalves of Dorchester Ma.

Lillian was born August 11,1924 in Pawtucket R.I., then moved to Martha’s Vineyard with her parents the late Bernice Rose DePina & Miguel DePina. Coming of age, she lived in New Bedford, Fairhaven and Boston, then returned to New Bedford in the late 90’s. She had worked at Morse Cutting Tools, Cornell Dubilier in New Bedford, Ma., as well as Shawmut Upholstery in Dorchester Ma until her retirement.

Lillian will be remembered in a lot of different ways, and one of the ways is the 3 F’s way.

FAMILY: Her love for her family was unconditional even if she didn’t agree with the direction you were heading in. She had a way of redirecting you to where you needed to be without making you feel like she didn’t support or love you. She was also great at pulling people together and treating and loving you as you were always part of her family.

FUN: If she was at your family event, you were guaranteed that everyone would be sitting at her table laughing and listening to her stories about her life and how much she enjoyed going on her boat, spending time on vacations and seeing the world. She was a proud woman who was known for stylish clothing, hats, shoes, jewelry and pins on her jacket.

FOOD: Lillian will be remembered for many types of food dishes that she enjoyed cooking and everyone. But there’s one particular food that she loved more than anything and is known for teaching most of her family, friends and strangers how to eat it going back to the 1940s. The Lobster, if you knew Lillian chances are you had a few lobsters with her at some point in your life. If she noticed you forgot to eat all of the meat from your lobster she wasn’t shy about showing you where the meat was and eating it for you just so you didn’t forget the next time.

Lillian is predeceased by her three children, Bernard Pinto of Boston, Karen and Jerry Pinto of Dartmouth in addition to her siblings, Barbara Joseph, Arthur Lopes, Peter Joseph DeCruz and Joseph Peter DeCruz. She is survived by her brother Rudolf DeCruz of Monument Beach and stepdaughter Debby Gonsalves of Boston. She was blessed with seven grandchildren: Gerald J. & wife Ana Pinto, Tina & husband Francis Britto, Stephanie Pinto & her companion, Yahtues Pinto, Elijah & Tamara Pinto & her companion Richie and Moriah Pinto.

She also had eleven great-grandchildren: lesha Pinto, Jerry R Pinto, Javidelis Rivera, Avalee Coe, Naiela & Mila Almeida, Richie, Anthony & Omesha Carmona, Azten and Giovanni Donaldson along with a great-great-grandchildren, Talor J. Pinto.

Lillian’s visiting hours and funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at Perry Funeral Home. Visiting hours will take place from 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. with a service to begin at 11:00 A.M. Burial will immediately follow in Rural Cemetery.

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