Maria Conceicao (Alves) Faria, 85 of Lowell, passed away after a brief illness on Saturday, March 21, 2026 with her loving family by her side. She was the beloved widow of the late Jose Antonio Faria, who passed away in 2021 after 57 years of marriage.
Born on September 6, 1940 in Ribeira Grande, Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal, a daughter of the late Jose and Maria Estrela (Da Silva) Alves, she was raised in Sao Miguel until 1976 when she came to the United States settling in Lowell, where she made her home.
Upon settling in Lowell she worked at local shoe shops including Grace Shoe, before working as an assembly worker at Merrimack Magnetics in Lowell. She was a communicant of St. Anthony Church and the Trindade.
She loved sewing and crocheting, as well as baking and cooking. She was also strong-willed, a quality that defined her character and strength throughout her life.
Maria is survived by her son, Filomeno Faria of Lowell; her daughters, Cidalia Faria of Lowell, Olga Porter and her husband, Gordon Jr., of Lowell, and Owey Pereira and her husband, Antonio, of Lowell; her eight grandchildren, Ryan Faria and his wife, Kathryn, Kimberly Champoux and her husband, Jonathan, Deric Faria, Jordan Porter, Linda Faria, Cameron Pereira, Austin Porter, and Nicolas Pereira; and her four great grandchildren, Jayden and Addisyn Murchie, Jackson Faria, and Callahan Champoux.
She is also survived by her siblings, Olga Sousa of Lowell, Delfina Faria of Lowell, and Jose Alves of Sao Miguel, Azores; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other family.
In addition to her husband and parents she was predeceased by her siblings, the late Alfredo Alves and Valdemira Moniz.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to: Alzheimer's Association of Massachusetts/New Hampshire: Click here to donate
On Thursday, March 26, 2026 all are welcome to attend her calling hours from 8-10 a.m. at McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell 978-458-6816.
Her funeral mass will be offered at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony Church in Lowell, followed by burial at St. Joseph Cemetery in Chelmsford.