Maria Jesus Arruda

New Bedford – Maria Jesus (Silva) Arruda, age 99, of New Bedford, MA passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2024 at home with her loving family by her side. She was the loving wife of the late Antonio Pimentel Arruda. 

Maria was born in Ribeira Seca Ribeira Grande, Sao Miguel, Acores to the late Manuel Silva Jr. and Maria dos Anjos (Pontes) Silva. She was a very strong woman, who had such a loving soul, and was a positive influence on the lives of everyone she came in touch with, especially her family. She was an extraordinary mother to her children, whom she loved unconditionally and cherished her time spent with her family. 

Maria had also been a communicant and a very devoted parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church for many years. Maria will be fondly remembered with love and admiration and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Maria is survived by her children, Jose S. Arruda and his wife Veronica, Antonio M. Arruda and his wife Lucia, Natalia Paulino and her husband Fernando, and Maria dos Anjos Ferreira; her grandchildren, Suzie, Lilia, Brian, Derek, Joshua, Katelyn, Marlene, Stephanie, Janice and Michael; 15 great-grandchildren; 1 sister, Maria Verissimo; as well as several nieces and nephews. 

She was also the mother of the late Maria de Lurdes Arruda and Laudalina de Jesus Arruda, grandmother of the late Melissa Ferreira and the late Jeffrey Arruda and his late wife Amber and mother-in-law of the late José António Ferreira. 

Maria’s visiting hours and funeral services will be on Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 8:00 A.M. – 9:30 A.M. at Perry Funeral Home and followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Auditorium at 10:00 A.M. Burial will follow at Rural Cemetery. 

Arrangements were entrusted to Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth Street, New Bedford MA.