Cecilia R. Sousa, 88, of Somerset, widow of Manuel S. de Sousa, passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Charlton Memorial Hospital after a short illness.  She was surrounded by her loving daughters and family.  Born in Fenais da Luz, São Miguel, Azores, she was a daughter of the late Jose Ferreira da Silva and the late Mariana (do Rego Alberto Almeida) Silva.  She emigrated to Fall River in 1959 with her American Passport and resided in Somerset for 63 years.

Prior to retirement Cecilia worked for many years in the local garment industry as a seamstress, tailor, supervisor, and quality control manager.  She began sewing at the age of 12 under the tutelage of Mestre Armindo in Fenais da Luz, when she was sent to work after completing her short formal education.  She was extremely bright and excelled at producing high quality craftsmanship, enabling her to develop the skills to make a man's three-piece-suit from just a set of measurements in only a matter of hours.  She began her career in the U.S. at Joe Pine Sportswear, where she became the manager of a satellite plant at the age of 27 only 6 years after arriving in this country without speaking English.  Most of her career was spent working at SanToro, Mfg., and she worked for a bridal shop in later years.

She had a life-long-love of learning and was always disappointed that her formal education had been cut short.  As a result, she vowed that her daughters would have the best possible education that could be provided, which entailed violin lessons and immersion in classical music and the arts; teaching them to read, sew, embroider and crochet; many hours spent at the kitchen table drilling multiplication tables and helping them study for tests; and making many sacrifices to send them to the best colleges (Tufts University and Boston University).  She set the bar very high for her daughters and was an amazing mother who became the Matriarch of a family of 7 Engineers, 2 Medical Professionals, 2 Computer Scientists, a candidate for a Ph.D. in Physics, a Lawyer, a Finance Professional and a Senior Executive on Wall St.  This huge leap in one generation was only possible because her hard work was coupled with intelligence and drive, which made her an outstanding role model; Cecilia was a humble woman who truly embodied the American Dream.

She married the love of her life, Manny, in 1958.  They had known of each other for many years given that one of her older sisters was married to his older brother.  But their age difference of 10 years meant that she was just a young girl when Manny went to Canada to work for the railroads. Then came the day that Manny went home to the Azores for a visit, and he spotted the 20-year-old Cecilia sitting across the room at a restaurant with her older sister (his sister-in-law).  After crossing the restaurant to greet his sister-in-law Noemia and her sister Cecilia, he returned to his table and told his friend that he had finally found the woman he wanted to marry.  His friend said, 'I've heard that before' given that Manny had previously been engaged 3 times (he loved to serenade girls with his guitar).  But he HAD finally found the love of his life.  After a brief courtship that entailed spending the evenings sitting at the kitchen table with Cecilia and her mother and father (who was an American) talking about Canada and the United States, they were married six weeks later.  They had a very happy and long marriage of 50 years, having 2 daughters and enjoying 5 grandchildren together.

Both Cecilia and her husband were avid gardeners with green thumbs.  She enjoyed cooking and canning the bounty from their vegetable garden and fruit trees.  In summer there were always fresh flowers in their home that came out of their flower gardens.  Cecilia also loved to sew at home, making clothes for herself and her daughters and suits for her husband.  Manny loved to watch her sew and would help her with small tasks when she let him do so.  Cecilia was also a huge fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots, watching games on television or listening to games on the radio. Particularly during football season, she knew how many games were won or lost and could often be heard talking about great plays by 'my Tommy.'

Devout Catholics, Cecilia and Manny attended mass together every morning at St. Patrick's Church in Somerset after their retirements.  His death on Mother's Day in 2008 left a huge hole in her heart and life that she felt every day.  She took comfort in her daily prayers and faith that he was preparing a place and waiting for her.  In her later years after Covid she watched at least one Mass and the Rosary on television every day.

Cecilia is survived by: two daughters, Lola Judge (fiancé Richard Parra) of Yorktown Heights, NY, and Diane Goodwin (husband Dr. Jami Carroll) of Somerset; five grandchildren, Alexander Judge (wife Amanda) of Wichita, Kansas, Katherine Judge (husband Derek Shimeck) of Chicago, Illinois, Samuel Goodwin (partner Rachel Weller) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Grace Goodwin (fiancé John Walden), of Bridgewater, Thomas Goodwin (partner Jocelyn D'Amato) of Cambridge; two great-grandchildren, Dylan Shimeck and Rowan Shimeck both of Chicago; and many beloved nieces and nephews, which includes Tony Cabral and his wife Amy of Somerset who helped her and kept a watchful eye over her every day after Manny's death.  Cecilia was predeceased by all of her siblings: Noemia Sousa, Elmira Cabral, Jose Ferreira da Silva, Noe Ferreira da Silva, Eduarda Costa and Anibal Ferreira da Silva.

Her Funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, December 22nd, in Our Lady of Peace Parish at St. Patrick's Church, Somerset, followed by her committal at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Somerset. Flowers are welcome or donations in Cecilia's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; 800-805-5856; https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html .

Family members are always grateful for relatives and friends wishing to make in-person expressions of kindness and support. If you were unable to do so, because of health concerns or any other reason, all are urged to express their sympathy online or by mail. To ensure that said condolences and/or sympathy cards reach the family, please always make sure that submissions online are made directly through the funeral home's website (www.silvafaria.com) and not through a third party. Thank you!