Palmira "Pal" (Baptista) Barboza, 102, passed away on Wednesday July 24, 2013 surrounded by her cousins, Patricia Silveira of Florida and Daniel Silveira of Buzzards Bay and their spouses, Albert "Abbie" Gomes and Linda Silveira, and her Godchild, Candida Rose Baptista.
Pal was born in New Bedford on January 27, 1911 growing up at 28 Hillman St. Her parents, Antonia and Joaquim "Jack" Enos adored her. She was married to Samuel Barboza for almost 53 years from June 9, 1934 until his passing February 15, 1987. In 2005 it was necessary for Pal to leave her second home on Central Avenue in New Bedford to go to assisted living in Fairhaven and then to Sippican Health Care Center in Marion.
As a young woman Pal enjoyed having dinner parties and teas with neighbors, friends, and family. Our Lady of the Assumption Church was always her home of worship and in 1987 she received the Marian Medal for her dedicated service to her Church. She was a longtime member of the Our Lady of the Assumption Club and the St. Martin dePorres Guild.
Following in her mother's footsteps, Pal was featured in the Standard-Times at the age of 100. Her mother also passed away at the age of 102, on August 4, 1986. Pal was always young at heart with her attitude and interest in people keeping her youthful.
She will be dearly missed by her cousin, John Silveira of Maryland, her many friends at Sippican Health Care Center, and all who knew her.
Her funeral will be held on Saturday at 7:45 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at 9 AM at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Visiting hours are omitted. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.