Maria D. Oliveira, 88, of Fall River, wife of the late Luis Oliveira, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 8, 2023 at St. Anne's Hospital following a brief illness. Born in Fenais da Luz, Sao Miguel, Acores, she was a daughter of the late Manuel Melo and the late Gloria (Sousa) Melo and her step mother (who raised her) Olivia (Fernandes) Melo.

Prior to her retirement she was a baker at the former Jacques Bakery here in the city for many years. Known for her great steaks, she loved cooking, trips to the casino, cruises, and traveling to such places as Bermuda, New Hampshire, and Florida. She also enjoyed socializing with her friends and taking her annual trips to the Big E in Springfield, Massachusetts. As a devout Catholic, Maria attended Mass faithfully and prayed the rosary daily. Most important to her was spending quality time with all of her family.

She leaves her loving children, Olivia Amaral and her husband, Luiz, of Fall River, Madalena Tavares, and her husband, Manuel, of Swansea, Dina Tabicas and her husband, Joseph, of Fall River, and Luis Manuel Oliveira and his wife, Teresa, of Somerset; her ten grandchildren, Debbie Macalintal (Jesse), Priscilla Beaulieu (Ryan), Christopher Amaral (Rachel), Stephanie Miranda (Jared), Matthew Tabicas (Lily), Jennifer Amaral (Jeff), Evan Tabicas (Ashley), William Oliveira (Mandy), Jillian Oliveira, and Brendon Oliveira and 14 great-grandchildren; her sister, Dina Partaker (late husband, John) of California; two brothers, Anibal Melo and his wife, Natalia, of California, and Luis Melo of Fall River; and many nieces and nephews. She was also the sister of the late Madeline Melo, Odelia Griffin, and Edward Mello.

Her Funeral Mass was celebrated on Thursday, December 14th, in Santo Christo 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 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!