Nancy (Pacheco) Vital

Nancy Vital, 88, of Dartmouth passed away at home surrounded by her family on November 2, 2025 after a long illness. She was the daughter of the late Mary Pacheco. She is survived by her son Derek Vital and his wife Kerrin of Dartmouth and her beloved grandson Connor Vital.

Nancy was born in Dartmouth but lived most of her childhood in the South End of New Bedford. She graduated from New Bedford High School in 1957. She worked for 42 years at the Blood Bank at St. Luke’s Hospital as a donor recruiter. She loved her job, which made her a local celebrity in her own right. There wasn’t a place she would go where someone didn’t recognize her.

She lived in Lakeville from 1975 until 1999 when she built her dream house in New Bedford. Nancy was a member of the Ladies’ Guild at Sts. Martha and Mary Parish and also volunteered for Altrusa International, a service-based organization. Upon her retirement in 2004, Nancy enjoyed travelling, including trips to Poland and Portugal and annual trips to Newport with her girls, where there were endless margaritas! Never one to slow down, she also worked local elections in New Bedford for many years.

She reconnected with some friends from high school at their 60th reunion and from then, they religiously got together every first Friday of the month for lunch. This was something she always looked forward to. She loved her “reunion girls” so much including her lifelong friend, Jovalina Tarini. She deeply cherished the time she spent with Connor, including days trips to the Buttonwood Park Zoo, Ocean Explorium, or various bazaars and festivals.

Always impeccability dressed and never without her bright beautiful lipstick, she never met an espresso martini she didn’t like! Her warm magnificent smile brightened every room and it will be terribly missed.

Nancy is predeceased by her husband Donald Vital, and sisters Laura Vieira and Hilda Viera. She is survived by several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews. She took much pride in being a Great Great Aunt!

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for all of the caretakers who gave comfort to Nancy in her final months including Katelyn Silva, Yvette Vieira, her care team from Beacon Hospice, her Girls from Best of Care and Coastline Elderly Services, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nancy’s name to Coastline Elderly Services, Inc. in New Bedford or Beacon Hospice of Fall River.

Coastline Elderly: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=8C54GXAVF5NRJ&source=url

Beacon Hospice: Please make checks out The Amedisys Foundation and mail to: Beacon Hospice Care, 1 Father Devalles Blvd., Suite. 407Fall River, Massachusetts 02723

Nancy’s visiting hours will be held on Monday evening, November 10, 2025 at Perry Funeral Home from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Her funeral will take place on Tuesday morning, beginning in the funeral home at 9:00 AM and followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Julie Billiart Church at 10:00 AM. Burial will be private.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Perry Funeral Home, located at 111 Dartmouth St, New Bedford, MA, which offers an ample lighted parking lot and is equipped with a handicap-accessible ramp and entrance for all who wish to pay their respects.