Maria "Gilda" Martins, 74, of Fall River, wife of Ramiro Martins, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, January 30, 2023 in the comforts of her home following a long illness. Born in Feteiras do Sul, St. Michael, Azores, she was a daughter of the late Jacinto M. Pereira and the late Luiza F. (Raposo) Pereira.

Prior to her retirement she worked as a sewing machine operator in the local textile industry for many years. She loved cooking, playing cards, and most importantly, family gatherings. A long-time member of the Sociedade Cultural Acoreana, Gilda also enjoyed her trips to the casino, going on cruises and traveling to such places as California, Florida, and back to her homeland in the Azores.

Besides her husband of fifty-five years, she leaves her loving son Louis M. Martins and his wife, Margarida, of Freetown; her two grandchildren, Tyler Martins (wife, Cristina)) and Sara Martins; her sisters, Zulmira Santos and her husband, Joseph,  Celia Coelho and her husband, Albert, Lucy Torres (late husband, John),  and Mary Cabral and her husband, Joseph, all of Fall River; her five brothers, Gilbert Pereira and his wife, Cremilde, Moses Pereira and his wife, Caroline, both of Fall River, Jesse Pereira and his wife, Maria Ramos, of Westport, Luis Pereira and his wife, Eugenia, of Somerset, and Joseph Pereira of  Fall River; and many nieces and nephews.

Her Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, February 3rd, in St. Anthony of Padua Church followed by her committal in St. Patrick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation in Gilda's memory to: Dana Farber Research Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215.

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!