Dorothy B. (Miranda) Cruz, 87, of New Bedford died Thursday February 17, 2011 at Hathaway Manor Extended Care Facility after a long illness. She was the wife of the late Antone Baptista Cruz, Sr.
Born in Boston, the daughter of the late Joseph Miranda and Elizabeth (Gonsalves) Miranda Johnson, she lived in New Bedford for many years.
She attended Grace Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Cruz was formerly employed as a teacher paraprofessional at Carney Academy until her retirement.
She was a VISTA volunteer. She was a founding member of the Merchant Mariners Club Auxiliary.
Survivors include five children, Atty. Antone B. Cruz, Jr. and his wife Judy, Robert W. Cruz, Carl J. Cruz, and Cheryl E. Cruz, all of New Bedford, and Nadine H. Cruz of Boston; her sisters-in-law, Mary "Bea" Fortes and Olivia "Ollie" Rose, both of New Bedford; ten grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews.
She was the mother of the late Steven M. Cruz and Ronald J. Cruz, sister of the late Wendell Miranda, and great-great niece of the late Sgt. William H. Carney.
Her Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday at 11:30 AM at Grace Episcopal Church. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.