Ilda A. (Cunha) Sousa, 97, a longtime Lowell resident, passed away peacefully after a brief illness at Northwood with her family by her side. She was the widow of the late Aristides Sousa who passed away in 2004 after 54 years of marriage.
She was born on October 15, 1926 in Graciosa, Azores, Portugal, a daughter of the late Antonio A. Lobao and the late Luzia Conceciao Cunha. She worked as a nanny for the Costa family of Graciosa, taking care of Antonina, Nuno and Renato in her younger days. Additionally she worked as a hatmaker in Graciosa for several years, then she came to the United States in 1966 settling in Lowell. In Lowell, she worked for 6 years at Grace Shoe, but spent most of her time helping to raise her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was longtime communicant of St. Anthony Church in Lowell was a member of the Holy Ghost Society and she enjoyed knitting. She was truly the matriarch of her family, a woman of profound strength and determination she will be dearly missed by all those who loved her.
She is survived by her daughter, Ana Ramos of Dracut; her 3 grandchildren, Marisa Ramos and her husband Brian Correia of Windham, NH, Paul Ramos of Dracut, Philip Ramos of Dracut; her great grandchildren, Caroline Correia, Briana Correia, Alex and Adria Ramos; her sister, Noemia Santos of Lowell and many nieces and nephews.
She was the mother of the late Maria Lourdes Sousa and she was also predeceased by her siblings.
The family would also like to thank the staff at Northwood Rehabilitation and Health Care Center for all their care and compassion, especially during Ilda's final days.
On Thursday, February 22, 2024 all are welcome to attend her calling hours from 8-10 a.m. at McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell. Her funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony Church, 893 Central Street, Lowell. Procession will follow for burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Tewksbury. Please find us on facebook or use this website to leave the family a message of condolence at any time.