New Bedford – Rosa (Serpa) Pinheiro, age 101, of New Bedford, passed away on Sunday, August 4, 2019 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Jose Cardoso Pinheiro, a well known whaler from Faial, who passed away on August 29, 2003.
Rosa was born in Pico, Azores to the late Jose and Ana Inacia Serpa. At the young age of 15 years old, she moved to Faial where she remained until immigrating to the United States. In 1959, because of the Capelinhos Volcano in Faial and the subsequent Azorean Refugee Act, she relocated to New Bedford, Massachusetts where she worked as a stitcher for various clothing manufacturers. Family was very important to Rosa. She was a great cook and had a green thumb, her vegetable garden would always flourish in the care of her talented hands.
Rosa and her husband Jose were founding members of the Club Uniao Faialense and she was also a member of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Seniors. Rosa’s energy was inspirational as she remained an active participant in many Portuguese social events throughout the area.
She is survived by her son, John C. Pinheiro and his wife Emily; her grandson, Victor C. Pinheiro and his wife Maria; 2 great-granddaughters, Victoria Pinheiro and her husband Justin and Mia Pinheiro; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by 3 sisters and 4 brothers.
A special thank you to Darcia Gaudreau for her exceptional care as well as Tefany, Sandra, Lou and the Community Nurse Hospice Care Association.
In lieu of flowers, donations are kindly asked to be made to The Azorean Maritime Heritage Society Scholarship Fund.
Rosa’s visiting hours will be held on Friday evening, August 9th from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Perry Funeral Home. Her funeral will be Saturday morning, beginning in the funeral home at 8:00 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Mount Carmel at 9:00 A.M. Burial will immediately follow in St. John’s Cemetery.
Arrangements placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home 111 Dartmouth St. New Bedford, MA 02740. Please see our website: www.perryfuneral.com for condolences.