ALICE SOUZA PONTE
Of Canton, died Wednesday morning, July 16th, at the Norwood Hospital after a brief illness. She was 86.
Born, raised and educated in Cambridge, she was the daughter of the late Manuel and Maria (Silva) Souza. She was a graduate of Cambridge High and Latin School, attaining high honors.
Mrs. Ponte had been employed by Harvard Trust in Cambridge in their Loan Department for 6 years as a young woman. In 1953, Mrs. Ponte returned to the home to devote full care to her family.
A devout Catholic and active communicant of Saint John the Evangelist Parish, she had been a member of the Altar Guild and served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a member of the Canton Catholic Women’s Club.
Mrs. Ponte loved to visit the beaches of Cape Cod, and had traveled throughout America, Canada and Europe. She enjoyed visiting tea rooms and was an avid Red Sox fan, being proud of the fact that the family home could be traced back to a Red Sox player. A collector of Wheaton bottles, she loved history and reading. Mrs. Ponte was also a practitioner of Tai Chi and a volunteer with the Canton Council on Aging.
She was predeceased by her husband in 1985, Joseph Leonard Ponte and was the sister of the late Louise Birnkammer, Mary Andrews, Ermelinda "Emily" Enos and 3 infant siblings, and her granddaughter, Lauren Olson.
Mrs. Ponte is survived by her children, Christine M. Ponte of Canton, Angela M. Ponte and her husband, Barry Rabinovitz of Quincy, Cecilia Walsh and her husband, Garrett of Attleboro, Mark L. Ponte and his wife, Sharon of Simi Valley, CA, Lucille M. Ponte and her husband, David Riddell of Orlando, FL, Michael A. Ponte and his wife, Mary Ann of Canton, Marguerite A. Ulrich and her husband, Joseph E. of London, UK, Dolores M. Fallon and her husband, Mark M. of Southborough and Caroline Ponte Mailloux of Easton. Her brother, Manuel "Jay" R. Souza of Cambridge, her sister, Caroline Albano and her husband, Joseph of Medway, and her brother-in-law, John Ponte and his wife, Mary.
She is also survived by her 15 cherished grandchildren, Caroline Olson, Joseph Olson, Diane Hayes and her wife, Kris. Robert Ponte, Paula Barlow and her husband, John, Marguerite Christensen and her husband, Jason, Anthony Ponte, Amanda LaFever and her husband, Steven, and Ashleigh Ponte. Emily Ponte, Megan Orso and her husband, Sean, Bridget Ponte, and Mary Alice Ponte. Michael Mailloux and Benjamin Mailloux; 12 great grandchildren, Brendon Ponte, Amanda, Joseph, and Michelle Barlow, Ryker Christensen, Jake and Desi LaFever, Lane, Iona, Kyle, Hiro, and Jude Ponte, a great great granddaughter, Kiana Barlow, and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial in celebration of Alice's life on Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. at Saint John the Evangelist Church, 700 Washington Street, Canton. Interment will follow at Saint Mary's Cemetery in Canton. The Ponte Family will welcome guests on Friday from 4-8 p.m. at the Roache-Pushard Family Funeral Home, 210 Sherman Street, Canton. Those who wish may make donations in her memory to Boston Catholic Television, P.O. Box 9196, 34 Chestnut Street, Watertown, MA 02471.