Eduarda Soares, 78, of Swansea, widow of Jose P. Soares, died Saturday 10/6/12 after a long illness. Born in Candelaria, St Michael, Azores, daughter of the late Jacinto & Maria Isabel da Ponte, she emigrated to Fall River in 1970. Working in the local textile industry for many years, she retired in 1999 from the former Shelburne Shirt Co, and was a member of ACTWU (now UNITE). She was also a member of the Santo Christo Church Holy Rosary Society. She leaves her goddaughter (niece & caregiver), Eduarda Rocha, with whom she lived for the past few years, along with grandchildren, Joseph Rocha and Jennifer & Stephanie Rocha. Sister of Manuel da Ponte, and the late Natalia & Artur Teofilo da Ponte, she also leaves many nieces & nephews. Her Funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, October 10, in Santo Christo Church followed by her committal at St Patrick Cemetery.