Margaretha A. (Commandeur) Arruda, 81, of New Bedford died Friday, October 20, 2017 at home surrounded by her loving family after a long illness. She was the wife of the late Arthur Arruda. They shared 59 years of marriage.
Born in Heerhugowaard, Netherlands, daughter of the late Laurentius and Anna (Groteman) Commandeur, she lived there for 21 years before moving to New Bedford.
She was a communicant of St. James Church, where she was active as a Eucharistic Minister and Confirmation class teacher.
Margaretha was an avid bridge player and loved spending time with her family.
She is survived by five children, Gary M. Arruda and his wife Lisa, Anne-Marie Alfonse and her husband Tony, Pamela L. Arruda and her fiancé William A. O'Neill, Timothy Arruda, and Tanya Dickson and her husband Mark; eight grandchildren, Cory Arruda, Carla and Luke Alfonse, Deirdre Waterbury-Arruda, Margo Arruda, and Greta, Chase, and Connor Dickson; a great-granddaughter, Layla; seven sisters; four brothers; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Donna Theodore, Tara Mcalister, and Alba Davila for the years of loving care they provided to Margaretha, as well as Community Nurse Home Care for their services.
Her Funeral will be held on Friday at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church at 10 AM. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 4-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.