Lydia F. (Freitas) Gomes, 86, of New Bedford died April 16, 2002 surrounded by her family after a brief illness.
She was the wife of the late Antonio S. "Geech" Gomes,and daughter of the late Theopholis Freitas and Theodolinda (Firmino) Freitas-Spencer.
Mrs. Gomes was born in Fairhaven and had lived in New Bedford for most of her life. She was a graduate of Fairhaven High School where she was a stand out track star.
Mrs. Gomes was a communicant of Our Lady of the Assumption Church, where she served as a Eucharistic minister. She was a member of the church's St. Martin dePorres Guild, the Sacred Heart Association, and the Our Lady of the Assumption Senior Citizens Club and was a recipient of the Marian Medal.
Mrs. Gomes was a den mother for the Cub Scouts and troop leader of Boy Scouts Troop # 20 at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. She was the voted Mother of the Year with the Standard-Times, the Cape Verdean Veterans Association and the Cape Verdean Ultra Marine Band Club.
Her greatest joy in life was her family.
Survivors include 6 sons, Paul A. Gomes and George "Jake" Gomes, both of New Bedford, Rev. Edmund J. Gomes of Lynchburg, VA, Rev. Martin T. Gomes, S.S.C.C., of Nassau, Bahamas, Stephen A. Gomes of Attleboro and Thomas E. Gomes of Wareham; 4 daughters, Mary Louise Rodrigues, Linda Gomes, Helen G. Ackah and Regina Jackson, all of New Bedford; a brother, Edward Spencer, and his wife Lolly, of Fairhaven; 17 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the mother of the late Anne Gomes Oliveira and sister of the late George Freitas, Benjamin Freitas, Mary Freitas, John Freitas and Mary Vidal.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New BedfordFriday, April 19th at 9 AM.Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 10 AM.Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
Visiting hours Thursday, April 18th from 4-8 PM.
Interment St. John's Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater New Bedford, P.O. Box 1506, New Bedford, MA 02741 or to Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 47 S. Sixth St., New Bedford, MA 02740