New Bedford – Donatila M. Benevides, age 78, passed away, peacefully, on Monday, October 6, 2014 at Brandon Woods of Dartmouth. She was the loving wife of Manuel Mota Benevides and the daughter of Maria Pacheco (Tavares) and Tito Moniz De Melo.
Mrs. Benevides was born in Salga, Azores, moved to this country in 1980 and worked as a Fish Cleaner for many years until her retirement.
Her family includes 4 children: Gabriel Benevides of Portugal, Cidalia Soares of New Bedford, Sergio Benevides of Canada and the late Carlos Benevides; siblings: Humberto De Melo of France, Leonor Rezendes of Canada and the late Jose De Melo and the late Manuel De Melo; as well as 9 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Her funeral will be Thursday morning beginning in the funeral home at 9:30 A.M. and continuing with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at 10:30 A.M. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will take place Wednesday evening in the funeral home from 5 – 8 P.M. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Arrangements placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St. in New Bedford, Ma.