Carol Almeida-Fortes, 75, of New Bedford passed away at home on Thursday March 5, 2020 surrounded by her loving family.
Born in New Bedford, she was the daughter of the late Joan C. Grace and Frank Almeida and step-daughter of the late Augustine A. Grace.
Carol moved to Boston in January 1960 and later graduated from J.E. Burke High School for Girls in 1962. In 1963 she graduated from Soldiers Home School of Practical Nursing and became a licensed practical nurse. She worked in several Boston Hospitals in all areas of Nursing, then in 1974 graduated from Northeastern University with a B.S. in Nursing. She later received a Master’s degree in Education from UMASS Amherst. From 1988-1991, she coordinated the implementation of school-based health centers in various Boston high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools.
She served as a Captain in the U.S Army Reserves, 399th Combat Support Hospital from 1990-1999.
A devout Catholic, Carol was an active member of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, including many years on the holiday bazaar committee. She was an avid gardener, reader, traveler, shopper, patron of the arts, and a jack of all trades.
Carol was a member of the NAACP, the Black Business and Professional Women’s Association, the New England Black Nurses Organization, the Coastline Elderly Services Advisory Board, the Martha Briggs Educational Club, the St. Vincent dePaul Society, the Friends of Buttonwood Park and the New Bedford YWCA Board of Directors. In 1990, she was inducted into the Nurses’ Honor Society, Sigma Theta Tau, as a community member. In 1983, she was recognized as an Outstanding Alumni of Northeastern University, School of Nursing.
She is survived by her husband, Theophilo M. Fortes, Jr.; her daughter, Shirronda Almeida and husband Anthony Chandler; her siblings, Peter Almeida, Stephen Grace and his wife Maria, Thomas Grace, Barbara Grace, Joy Grace-Medeiros, Camille Grace Baker, and Augustine “Butch” Grace; her niece Justine Grace and nephews Stephen Grace II, Tyler Medeiros, and Marshall Trammell.
She was predeceased by her brother, Marshall Almeida.
Her Funeral will be held on Wednesday March 11, 2020 at 10 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 11 AM. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday March 10, 2020 from 4-8 PM. For direction and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.