Maria M. "Bia" (Oliveira) Goncalves, 61, of New Bedford died Friday September 7, 2007 unexpectedly at St. Luke's Hospital. She was the wife of Luis P. "Lulu" Goncalves.
Born in Sao Nicolau, Cape Verde, the daughter of the late Antonia Duarte Soares and Jose Gil Oliveira, she lived in New Bedford for the past 34 years.
Mrs. Goncalves was formerly employed as an assembler at U.S. Ringbinder. She later worked at the Sunshine Plaza Flea Market.
She loved her kids, cooking, crocheting, and flowers.
Survivors include her husband; seven children, Zé Varela, Joe "Djita" Varela, Deolinda Lopez, Mena Varela, Rui Varela, Tony Varela, and Michael Varela, all of New Bedford and their father Manuel Varela; her siblings, Darci Lopes of New Bedford, John Silva of Wareham, Lucio Oliveira of Texas, Ceza Oliveira and Maria Jose, both of Boston, and Maria DoCarmo, Maria Rufina, Maria Lapa, Joao Oliveira, and Julio Oliveira, all of Cape Verde; and countless grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, and all her kids.
Her Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday at 10 AM in the International Church of the Nazarene. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guest book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.