Maria Adilia (Mendonca) Bettencourt, 95, of Lowell, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at D’Youville Senior Health Care Center in Lowell, surrounded by all of her loving family.
Born on June 13, 1931, on the beautiful island of Graciosa, Azores, Maria was the daughter of the late Adelaide de Gloria Mendonca. Her mother passed away when Maria was just a little girl. She then moved to the island of Terceira, and was raised in an orphanage. At the age of 18, she returned to Graciosa, where a friend introduced her to Argentino Q. Bettencourt, who was (at the time), working on the island of Flores. The two began writing letters back and forth, and their love quickly bloomed through paper, a true love story told through letters. They had scarcely met in person when they made the decision to get married. Their wedding took place by proxy, with a sponsor standing in for each of them on their separate islands. Shortly afterward, the newlyweds were finally able to unite in Flores, where the newlyweds decided to move to Faial, where they were finally able to begin their lives together. She was his Queen, his one and only, and Argentino was her soulmate. They were truly the love of each other’s lives.
In 1970, Maria and Argentino came to the United States where they settled in Lowell. Together on May 14, 1976, they proudly became citizens of the United States of America. Sadly, just a short year later, in 1977, Argentino passed away. Maria’s home was on Cedar Street, in the Back Central neighborhood, where she lived for 51 years.
Maria worked as a machine operator for BAE Systems. She always kept her hands (and mind) busy with knitting, crocheting, and embroidery; all crafts that she loved and would also work on from home to help her earn a living. She went on to enjoy a wonderful retirement filled with the things she loved the most. She enjoyed cooking and baking, adored animals, and she never turned down a cup of coffee. Some of her happiest moments were spent playing dominoes, going camping, and traveling with her family. Whether it was a family trip, a shopping trip, or just sharing thoughts and memories over coffee, being surrounded by the people she loved and cared about meant there was nowhere else she would rather be.
Maria was a kind soul and a wonderful listener. She was wise, helpful, and she always knew what needed to be done, no matter the situation. Although she never had children of her own, she had an immense influence on her nieces and nephews, as well as her great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, and great-great-nephews, and her love for her family truly had no limits. Even though she battled dementia, she kept her great sense of humor. Even after moving to D’Youville, she never missed a family event. She was a member of St. Anthony’s Church, the Portuguese American Civic League, and the Portuguese Senior Center.
Her family would like to thank the staff at D’Youville Senior Health Care Center, and Tufts Medicine Hospice for the care and friendship that she received during this difficult time.
Maria is survived by her nieces and nephews, Maria Edite Silva and her husband Carlos of Lowell; Hilda Rola of Lowell; Maria Ligia of Sarnia, Canada; Sergio Reis and his wife Belma of Lowell; Maria Jose Anjos of Lowell; Mario Reis of Lowell; Maria Amelia Reis of Lowell; Sylvia Quadros and her husband Rodolfo of Dracut; Linda Bettencourt of Canada; and Katie Robillard and her husband Scott of Tewksbury. She also leaves her godchildren, Jose Helder Quadros of Tewksbury, Carla Vasconcelos and her husband Danny of Lowell, and Paul Ramos, as well as many great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, great-great-nephews and their families, with whom she was very close, and several dear friends. In addition to her beloved husband Argentino, Maria was predeceased by her sister Maria Luisa DaSilva and her husband Jose, as well as her brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, November 13, 2026, from 8am until 10am at McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA 01852. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated that morning at 11am at St. Anthony’s Church, 893 Central Street, Lowell, MA 01852. Burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery, 1251 Gorham Street, Lowell. Arrangements are under the care and direction of McDonough Funeral Home.