Rose F. (DeSouza) Souza, 88, of Dartmouth died Thursday October 23, 2008 at her daughter's home surrounded by family. She was the wife of the late Joseph M. Souza
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Manuel F. and Maria (Moniz) DeSouza, she lived in New Bedford for many years before moving to Dartmouth 36 years ago.
She was a communicant of St. Mary's Church.
Mrs. Souza was formerly employed as an English teacher at New Bedford High School until her retirement.
She was a member of the College Club of New Bedford. She had served as a docent at the New Bedford Whaling Museum and as a volunteer at the Zeiterion Theater.
Survivors include two daughters, Elizabeth H. Souza and her husband William Stapleton of Amherst, and Pamela M. Souza and her companion Ronald Teachman of New Bedford; a sister, Alice D. Sylvia of St. Petersburg, FL; her American Field Service daughter, Elizabeth Guia of Miami, FL; her sister-in-law, Ann Pielech of New Bedford; five grandchildren, Noah Stapleton, Phoebe Stapleton and her husband Benjamin Timsuren, Nathaniel, Amelia, and Alexander Monteiro; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Mae Amaral Rodrigues and Manuel DeSouza.
Her Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Monday November 3, 2008 at 11 AM at St. Mary's Church, South Dartmouth. Burial will follow in South Dartmouth Cemetery. Her family will receive visitors on Sunday November 2, 2008 from 3-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Remembrances may be made to the Prince Henry Society Scholarship Fund (in memory of Rose Souza), c/o Robert Gaspar, 384 Faunce Corner Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747 or to the College Club of New Bedford Scholarship Fund, c/o Laura McLeod, 106 North St., Mattapoisett, MA 02739. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.