...Tewksbury School Department; 89
TEWKSBURY - Mildred (Medeiros) Mendonca, a former School Department employee, died peacefully Tuesday evening, December 27, at the Radius Northwood nursing care center in Lowell, following a gradual and lengthy decline in health. She was the beloved wife for 53 years of James G. Mendonca Sr., who died in 2002.
She was born in New Bedford, on April 10, 1922, one of three children of the late Candido and Mary (Phillips) Medeiros. She was raised in New Bedford, and moved to Tewksbury in 1955 to raise her family.
She worked in the school lunch program for the Tewksbury School Department at the Junior High School, the Shawsheen and North Street Schools during her career.
She was an active member and active fund-raiser of St. William's Parish in Tewksbury during the years of construction of the parish center, the school, and rectory. In her later years, she worked with and supported her husband in his many charitable, fraternal and town related endeavors. She was active in several area Bingo nights, and in her later years volunteered at the Tewksbury Food Pantry. She was a frequent visitor to the Tewksbury Senior Center, and was a member of the Golden Age Club.
Mrs. Mendonca or "Millie" as she was best known, will be fondly remembered for her constant smile, kindness, and Christian 'spirit' freely given to everyone she met throughout her life.
She is survived by her beloved daughter, Maria Gaspar of Lowell, her devoted daughter-in-law and best friend Catherine (Manion) Mendonca of No. Tewksbury, who was wife of her late son, James G. Mendonca Jr., who died in 2000; seven grandchildren, Shawn Gaspar of Lowell, Timothy Gaspar of Haverhill, Leo Gaspar of Andover, James Gaspar and Sonia Gaspar both of Lowell, Kristine Mendonca of Tewksbury and Stephen Mendonca of CA; two great grandchildren, Timothy Jr., and Cassandra; a sister-in-law, Alcina "Tina" Spindola of New Bedford; and several nieces and nephews.
She was also sister of the late Hilda Costa-Pinnelli and Anthony Medeiros.
Her Funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday, December 31, in St. William's Church, Tewksbury. Burial will be at the National Cemetery at Cape Cod on Friday, January 6, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. Memorials to the Tewksbury Food Pantry, 999 Whipple Road, Tewksbury, MA 01876 will be appreciated.