Irene (Faria) Sousa passed away at the Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River April 10 at the age of 93. She was the wife of the late Manuel L. (Larry) Sousa. The couple resided in Somerset for forty years.
Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of the late Antonio Alves Faria and Eliza (Carvalho) Faria. Mrs. Sousa retired in 1984 from the position of administrative assistant to the presiding justice of the Second District Court in Fall River. She was also bookkeeper for her husband’s two businesses, Larry’s Arco Service in Fall River, and the Fall River Hearse Company.
She is survived by two sons, Lawrence M. Sousa of Swansea and Dr. George M. Sousa of Taunton, 3 grandsons, George, Matthew, and Thomas Sousa, and 4 great grandchildren, Zachary, Briana and Brooke Sousa and Colby Dunlop. She had a daughter, Barbara Sousa who died in infancy in 1945. She was the last surviving member of her sibling group, which included Theresa O’Brien, George C. Faria, Catherine Kerne, James C. Faria, Antonio C. Faria and Manuel C. Faria. She was also the beloved aunt of Mary Catherine O’Brien of Boston, the late Jeremiah Francis O’Brien, and the late Matthew O’Brien.
Mrs. Sousa was a graduate of Durfee High School and the Thibodeau Business School. In addition to bookkeeping work in her early career, she assisted in the family business, Faria and Sons Funeral Home. Prior to joining the staff at District Court, she was senior accounts payable clerk at the Firestone Rubber Company in Fall River. She volunteered her bookkeeping skills to her parish, St. John of God, where she also served as a CCD teach and member of the parish council. She was a member of the Somerset Town Democratic Committee for many years.
Having been formally trained in Portuguese, with excellent reading, writing, and speaking skills, Mrs. Sousa was often asked to serve as an interpreter and to translate documents throughout her life. These skills were used frequently during her tenure at the Second District Court. Intensely proud of her heritage, she enjoyed many trips to Portugal and was a member of the Portuguese Cultural Society of Fall River.
She and her husband enjoyed traveling, and her most memorable trip was to Rome, to attend the elevation of Humberto Cardinal Medeiros to the College of Cardinals. She also enjoyed crafts, and produced many pieces of needle work, knitting, and ceramics.
Her funeral services will be provided by the Manuel Rogers & Sons Funeral Home, 1521 N. Main St. on Monday, April 14, at 9:30 A.M. followed by a funeral mass in Santo Christo Church at 10:30 A.M. Calling hours on Sunday, April 13, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Interment will be at St. Patrick Cemetery in Fall River.