Bernice J. (Mello) Manzone, 79, of Fairhaven died December 12, 2012 peacefully at St. Luke's Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
She was the wife of the late Eugene A. Manzone.
Born and raised in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Manuel B. Mello, Jr. and Rose (Dias) Mello, she lived in Fairhaven most of her life.
She was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in Fairhaven.
Bernice Manzone was an amazing wife, a caring mother, a loving grandmother and an adoring great-grandmother. She was the matriarch of her family. She enjoyed being around her family, cooking her family's favorite dishes, listening to family stories and forecasting the weather. She was a very special person to those who were fortunate enough to know her and will be missed deeply but will remain forever in our hearts.
Survivors include 3 sons, Richard Manzone and his wife Debbie, Eugene Manzone, Jr. and his wife Tracey and Ronald Manzone and his wife Nancy, all of Fairhaven; 2 daughters, Gail Baccelli Major and her husband Robert of Bristol, RI and Christine Souza and her husband Scott of Fairhaven; 5 sisters, Elaine Alfonce of Dartmouth, Lillian Sylvia of Acushnet, Mary Brassells of New Bedford, Joan Mello of Hopkington, MA and Peggy Avery of Westport; 13 grandchildren, Lindsey Baccelli, Lauren Souza, Tyler Souza, Alyssa Chase and her husband Robert, Bethany Chase and her husband Christopher, Kendra Galary and her husband Jake, Eugene Manzone, III and his girlfriend Chelsea Barboza, Matthew Manzone and his wife Laurie, Daniel Manzone, Andrea Manzone, Ronald Manzone, Jr. and his girlfriend Tessa D'Agostino, Justin Manzone and his wife Caroline and Joseph Manzone and his wife Kim; 9 great-grandchildren, Rocco Baccelli, Cadence, Lola and Delaney Chase; Westin and Ryder Chase, Bentley Galary and Katie and Michael Manzone; a brother-in-law, John Gonsalves of New Bedford; 2 Godchildren, Nancy Rawcliffe of Acushnet and Marc Manzone of Rochester; and many nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Rose Gonsalves and William Mello.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett Monday, December 17th at 8:45 AM. Funeral Mass at 10 AM in St. Mary's Church, Fairhaven. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Visiting hours Sunday, December 16th from 4-8 PM.