Bernice Ponte

New Bedford - Early Saturday morning, August 24, 2024, Bernice Silva Ponte, 97 of South Dartmouth and Sacred Heart Nursing Home had a date with an angel, to escort her home to paradise to be with the Lord. 

Bernice was born in New Bedford in 1927, to Manuel J. Silva and Rosa (Cordeiro) Silva. She loved her younger sister, the late Norinna S. Bettencourt. 

Bernice was the widow of musician Joseph I. Ponte Jr. Married in 1949, Bernice and Joe enjoyed a 63 year long loving marriage until his passing. Once married only death could separate them although it never severed their deep love. They traveled extensively to spread the “Good News” including their “Washington for Jesus” march as well as to Madeira and continental Portugal. Together they taught “Life in the Spirit” seminars in English at Our Lady’s Chapel and in Portuguese at Mount Carmel Church where they had received their sacraments and were married. 

Bernice was a graduate of New Bedford High School and New Bedford Hairdressing Academy. As a cosmetologist for 73 years, she was the proprietor of Bernice’s Beauty Salon in South Dartmouth until 2017.

Bernice is survived by her three children, Joseph Ponte of Somerset; Rosemary Wilde and partner Robert Cory of Dartmouth and Bernice Jensen and husband Wayne of Warren, RI. 

Her grandchildren include Annemarie Santos and husband Ryan of Dartmouth; William Wilde and wife Regina of Watertown; Michael Wilde and fiancé Doudou Chen of Paramus, New Jersey; Jennifer Brown and husband Tyler of Somerset; Matthew Jensen and wife Tina of Pawtucket, RI and Scott Jensen and wife Diane of North Attleboro.

Great Grandchildren include Charles, Christian and Ariane Santos of Dartmouth, Olivia Wilde and Hannah Wang of New Jersey, Skyla Jensen of Wareham, Shane Jensen of Pawtucket, RI, Kara and Ryan Jensen of North Attleboro. In addition, she is survived by her younger brother Manuel Silva and wife Sandra of Florida as well as loving godchildren, cousins and many brothers and sisters in Christ. She was predeceased by her son-in-law, William L. Wilde and her daughter-in-law, Janice A. Ponte as well as many loving family members and friends.

A communicant of St. Mary’s Church, South Dartmouth, Bernice was passionately devoted to her belief in God and reading “The Word”. Bernice served as Eucharistic minister, lector, sang in the church choir, taught Confirmation preparation classes and was a former President of the Women’s Guild and was appointed to the Diocesan Service Committee. 

Bernice will be sorely missed by all her friends and family who are comforted knowing that she now resides in the house of the Lord, in perfect peace. The family would like to thank the staff of the Sacred Heart Home for their loving care of our mom.

Bernice's visiting hours will be held on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Perry Funeral Home from 4:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. Her funeral will take place Friday, beginning in the funeral home at 11:00 A.M. and followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Church Dartmouth at 12:00 P.M. Burial will immediately follow in South Dartmouth Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth Street, New Bedford.