Maria Fátima (Bettencourt) Picanso, 79, of Lowell, passed away unexpectedly at Northwood Rehabilitation & Health Care Center on November 11, 2022. She was the widow of Isolino M. Picanso who passed away in 2013 after 46 years of marriage.
Born April 13, 1943 in Graciosa, Azores, she was a daughter of the late Orlando Espinola Bettencourt and Georgina E. (DaSilva) Bettencourt. She grew up and was educated in the Azores. She came to the United States in 1963 at the age of 20, staying with friends in Lowell, she was amongst the first in the family to migrate from Graciosa to Lowell. She returned to Graciosa when her future husband Isolino completed his service with the Portuguese Military. They were married in 1966 in Graciosa, and they came to the United States together, settling in Lowell to start their family.
She lived in Lowell for many years, and was a longtime communicant of Saint Anthony’s Church. She enjoyed crocheting and spending time with her family. In 2004 she and her husband relocated to Jacksonville, FL, for a few years, eventually returning to Lowell after her husband's diagnosis with cancer. She was a very hospitable and loving person, she will be missed dearly by friends and family, as well as her friends at Northwood.
She is survived by her five daughters, Goretti Vongsiprasom and her husband, Jon, of Lowell, Elizabeth Smith and her husband, Jim, of Nashua, NH, Lisa Barone and her partner Jay Adie of Dracut. Brenda Picanso of Amesbury and Melinda Picanso of Lowell; her grandchildren, Ricky, Christine, Erick, Timothy, Megan, Stephanie, Brittany, Haley, Steven, Brandon, Ruben, Devin, Aliah, Javian, Adriana; her great grandchildren, Jordan, Jaida, Jamison, Emma, Cameron, Abby, Mason, Avery, Aiden. She is also survived by her siblings, Arcelinda Silva of Dracut, Manuel Bettencourt and his wife Ilda of Hampton, NH, Helio Bettencourt of Nashua, NH, Daniel Bettencourt of Lancaster; as well as many nieces and nephews.
On Friday, November 18, 2022 all are welcome to attend her calling hours from 9-11 a.m. at McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, 978-458-6816.
Her funeral mass will be offered at 12 noon at St. Anthony Church, 893 Central Street, Lowell, followed by burial at Lowell Cemetery on Knapp Ave in Lowell.