New Bedford – Maria O. (Arruda) Tavares, age 101, passed away on July 11, 2018 at Brandon Woods of Dartmouth. She was the wife of the late Manuel Tavares and daughter of the late Francisco and Trindade (Ponte) Arruda.
Maria was born in Bristol, RI and moved to Agua de Pau, St. Miguel, Acores at an early age and returned, at the age of 35, to New Bedford, Ma. to provide and raise her children in a better environment.
She is survived by daughters, Zulmira Tavares, Mary Lou Perry and her husband, Ronald, Rosalia Calheta and her husband, Michael, all of Florida and Constance Lemery and her husband Raymond of Acushnet; son, Joseph Tavares and his wife, Natividade of So. Dartmouth; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by several brothers and sisters.
Her funeral and burial were private. Arrangements were placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home 111 Dartmouth St. New Bedford, MA 02740.