Maria Ines Melo Furtado, age 84, of Fall River, widow of Silvino S. Furtado, passed away on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at the Sarah S. Brayton Nursing Center. Born in Povoacao, St. Michael, Azores, a daughter of the late Antonio C. Melo and the late Maria da Conceicao (Raposo) Melo, she emigrated to Fall River in 1986.

A longtime employee of the former Newport Harbor, prior to her retirement, she had also worked at the former River Falls Mfg. A devout Catholic, Maria was very strong in her faith. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with her family.

She is survived by: four children, Delia Melo (husband John) of Inverness, Florida, Maria Deus Lima (husband Joe) of New Bedford, Graciette Teodoro (husband Raul) of Fall River, and Emanuel Furtado of Fall River; three sisters, Cecilia Medeiros (husband Duarte) of Inverness, Florida, Maria dos Anjos Sa of St. Michael, Azores, and Maria Odilia Silva of St. Michael, Azores; five grandchildren, Steve, Michael, Leann, Andy, and Marc; one great grandson, Oliver; and many nieces and nephews. She was also the mother of the late Silvina de Lourdes Furtado; and a sister of the late Maria Imaculada Furtado.

Her Funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, April 3rd, in St. Anthony of Padua Church 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 are/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!