Retired Somerset elementary school cafeteria employee Lucinda Camara, age 96, passed away on December 20, 2021, at the Somerset Ridge Center, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy of service to her community and love of family. She was the widow of Herculano Camara, and the daughter of the late John R. Camara and the lateGeorgina (Soeiro) Camara.

Born in Fall River, Lucinda lived in Somerset since 1955. She worked in several textile mills for many years before starting with Raytheon in Taunton in the 1960s. She proudly supported systems and controls that eventually went into space. She also worked at Weintraub's in Somerset for many years, where the patrons appreciated her ability to speak Portuguese. After that store closed, she worked for several years at the Stop & Shop in Somerset.

Lucinda's last job was with the Somerset Public Schools at North Elementary School as "Lunch Lady Lou." She loved serving all the students and teachers and reluctantly retired when she turned 88 as the oldest employee of the district, after over 18 years with the schools. She always spoke fondly of the children and teachers she served every day, and missed the times with her fellow 'lunch ladies."

She is survived by her daughter Lucinda Meehan of Dartmouth, son John of East Providence, RI, son Michael and daughter-in-law Diane of Garland, TX, and son Robert of Somerset and his companion Dawn Lawrence. Lucinda is also survived by her beloved grandchild Vincent of Somerset, as well as step-grandchildren Stephanie Smith, Travis Smith and his wife Jamie, and great-granddaughters Berkley Smith and Peyton Smith, all of Texas.

She was predeceased by her sisters Mary Camara, Cizaltina Medeiros, Rita Sardinha, and Georgina Amaral. She also leaves many nieces and nephews, who always thought fondly of their "Tia Lou."

Lucinda was a nearly lifelong member of St. John of God Church in Somerset, having been a member of the parish's Women's Guild and the Holy Rosary Sodality. Over many decades, she cracked thousands of eggs for malassadas for the annual church feast, something she loved volunteering for. She also enjoyed many crafts over the years including needlepointing, some of which were turned into chairs and footstools for her family.

Her Funeral Mass was celebrated on Thursday, December 23rd, at St. John of God Church in Somerset, followed by her committal at St. Patrick Cemetery in Fall River.

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 this pandemic 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!