Angelina Arruda

New Bedford, MA – Angelina “Angie” (Mendes) Arruda passed away peacefully at home with her family at her side on May 24, 2024, at the age of 97. 

Angie was born on September 28, 1926, in Dartmouth, MA, to the late Jose Mendes and Jesuina (Ferreira) Mendes. She was loved dearly by her sons, Stephen Arruda of Oceanside, CA, and David Arruda of Dartmouth; daughters-in-law, Etsuko (Suzuki) Arruda and Janet (Mosher) Arruda; granddaughters, Leah Arruda and Rachel Arruda Sitcoske; and grandson-in-law, Matthew Sitcoske. She was blessed to have become a great-grandmother in recent years and enjoyed visits with her great-granddaughter, Norah Sitcoske. She was the sister of the late Deolinda Cordeiro and aunt and godmother to Paul Cordeiro of Dartmouth.

After raising her sons, Angie enrolled in nursing school to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. She graduated in the early 1970s and spent nearly two decades at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford before retiring in the 1990s. Angie loved caring for her patients, was well-known and loved within the St. Luke’s nursing community and received many awards for her service. After her retirement from St. Luke’s she devoted several additional years caring for patients at Hallmark Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in New Bedford.

While Angie loved her hometown, she also built fond memories during her earlier years with travels to Portugal, California, Hawaii, Colorado and Florida. At home, she enjoyed walks around her neighborhood and was known to cover many miles on each walk, stopping to chat with friends and neighbors along the way. She was an avid card player and had a competitive spirit, playing canasta with friends and family. She also enjoyed reading, playing Scrabble with her granddaughter, Rachel, exchanging letters with her granddaughter, Leah, completing crosswords and word searches and cheering on the Red Sox. 

Angie will be remembered for her strength yet soft-spoken nature and her care, concern, love and generosity for her family. She was a beloved mother, Nana and Great-Nana and will be greatly missed.

Private funeral arrangements were entrusted to Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth Street, New Bedford. Angie will be laid to rest at St. John’s Cemetery in New Bedford, alongside her mother.