Maria L. (Pinheiro) Pereira

Taunton – Maria L. (Pinheiro) Pereira, died Monday, March 28, 2011, at the ripe old age of 99, at Morton Hospital in Taunton surrounded by her family, after a brief illness. She was the beloved wife of the late Francisco R. Pereira.

Mrs. Pereira was the loved mother of Albertina, wife of the late Luis Sousa and Alexandrinha wife of Jose Eugenio both of New Bedford, Otilia, wife of Manuel DaRosa, Eduardo, husband of the late Maria L. Pereira, Maria, wife of Antonio Faria and Jose, husband of Fatima Pereira all of Taunton and Frank Pereira of Freetown. She was the mother of the late Mario, Jose F., Francisco A., Jose A. and Angelina Pereira. Mrs. Pereira was the sister of Louisa DaRosa of Bristol, RI, Jose Pinheiro of Taunton, Eduardo Pinheiro of Faial, Azores and Alexandre Pinheiro of Canada. Maria was the sister of the late Alzida Faria, Mateus and Antonio Pinheiro and grandmother of the late Frankie Pereira. She is also survived by 23 grand children 31 great grandchildren 6 great-great-grandchildren and one on the way.

Mrs. Pereira was born in Capelo, Faial, Azores, a daughter of the late Mateus and Filomena (Sousa) Pinheiro, she came here in 1967. Maria was a seamstress at Pierce Mills until her retirement. She was loving and giving to all. Maria was an avid walker. At the age of 82 she chased down a thief who broke into her sons home recovering the stolen items. Putting her on the front page of the Standard Times and earning her a spot on the Channel 6 news as the “ Crime Busting Grandma” which she was extremely proud of.

Later at the age of 89, she became an American citizen. As her goal was to be able to vote in the country that had become her adopted home.
Maria Pereira will be greatly missed by all.

Mrs. Pereira’s funeral will be Friday at the Perry Funeral Home at 9:30 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at 10:30 A.M. Burial will be at St. John Cemetery. Visiting hours are Thursday from 4 – 8 P.M. Relatives and friends are invited.