Maria Jose Sousa, 80, of Fall River, wife of the late Octavio Sousa, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 following a long illness. Born in Lomba da Maia, St. Michael, Azores, she was a daughter of the late Jose Luis Pereira and the late Maria Conceicao (Leonardo) Pereira.

Prior to her retirement she worked as a trimmer in the local textile industry for many years. An excellent cook, she also loved baking, embroidering, and watching her Brazilian soap operas. She enjoyed her travels to Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, and back to her homeland in the Azores. But what was most important to Maria was spending quality time with all her family.

She leaves her loving daughters: Maria Roque an her husband, Francisco, and Anna DeCosta and her husband, Stephen, both of Fall River; her four grandchildren: Chantel Sousa (Randy), Taylor Roque (Joe), Destinee Boubert (Max), and Brandon Roque (Brittany); five great-grandchildren: Cassidyanna Sousa, Rielynn Sousa, Aeliana Boubert, Kinzleigh Sousa, Ben Garcia, and another "on the way"; one sister: Maria Lurdes Almeida of Fall River; many nieces and nephews. She was also the sister of the late Maria Marques and Antonio Andre; and grandmother-in-law of the late Mo Boubert. Maria was also predeceased by her precious and treasured pug, Matthew.

Her Funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, June 5th, in St. Anthony of Padua Church followed by her committal at St. Patrick Cemetery.

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!