Maria do Rosario (Azinheira) Custodinho, 81, of Lowell, passed away after a long period of declining health on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at Northwood Nursing Home. She was the beloved wife of Luciano G. Custodinho with whom she shared the last 59 years of marriage.
Maria was born in Olhao, Algarve, Portugal on October 26, 1939 and was the only child of the late Jose Mendonca Azinheira and the late Lucinda (de Sousa) Areia. She was raised and educated in Olhao.
In 1962, after marrying Luciano, they moved to France for some time before relocating to the United States in November of 1968, settling in Lowell’s Back Central Street neighborhood. She was employed as a Nurses Aide for 11 years before retiring in 2001. She also worked as a seamstress for the local textile and garment district in Lowell, also at Commodore Foods and Carroll Shoe, among other places.
In addition to her husband, Luciano G. Custodinho of Lowell, she is survived by her daughter, Maria Christina Custodinho and her companion, Richard Perruzzi of Gloucester; her son, Michael Custodinho and his wife, Lisa Marie of Lowell; and her beloved granddaughter, Lia Michelle Custodinho of Lowell.
She is also survived by her brother in law, Clemente DeSousa and his wife, Alcinda Cunha of Lowell; her nephew, Leonard DeSousa of and her nephew, Mark DeSousa and his companion, Rachel Decarteret of Tyngsboro.
Maria was predeceased by her sister in law, the late Dorothy Machado DeSousa.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to: Alzheimer’s Association at: www.alz.org/donate
ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND HER CALLING HOURS FROM 4-7 P.M. AT MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. HER FUNERAL WILL BEGIN ON TUESDAY AT 9 A.M. AT THE FUNERAL HOME, FOLLOWED BY HER FUNERAL SERVICE AT 10 A.M. IN THE FUNERAL HOME. BURIAL WILL TAKE PLACE AT ST. MARY CEMETERY IN TEWKSBURY.