Maria dos Anjos Resendes, 72, of Fall River, widow of Antonio Calmeiro Resendes, passed away on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Charlton Memorial Hospital.  Born in Agua Retorta, St. Michael, Azores, the daughter of the late Francisco Ferreira Sardinha and the late Maria Julia "Jacinto" (Medeiros) Sardinha, she emigrated to Fall River in 1969.

Prior to an early retirement due to disability, Maria was employed in the local textile industry for many years at various companies, including the former Louis Hand and Meredith Home Fashion.  She enjoyed watching her Portuguese soap operas and loved to cook, especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Most of all she loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren.

A strong-willed person and devout Catholic, the depth of Maria's faith helped her overcome many health and medical related obstacles throughout her life.

She is survived by: three children, Elsa Resendes (fiancé Richard Gagne) of Fall River, Luis Resendes (fiancée Deborah Manchester) of Swansea, and Sandra Resendes of Fall River; three siblings, Manuel Sardinha of the Azores, Luis Sardinha of Canada, and Jose Carlos Sardinha of Fall River; three grandchildren, Rylee Resendes, Morgan Resendes, and Austin Pratt; and many nieces and nephews.  Maria was predeceased by two siblings, Jose A. Sardinha and Francisco Sardinha.

Her Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, April 24th, in St. Anthony of Padua Church followed by her committal at Notre Dame Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Maria's memory to Jimmy Fund / Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168; 617-632-6099; https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/.

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!