Delores Rezendes

Born in New Bedford, a daughter of the late Manuel P. and Maria (Daniels) Botelho, she was a lifelong resident of the city. Prior to her retirement, Delores was employed as a cafeteria manager for the New Bedford Public Schools, with 20 years at Carney Academy.

Delores loved her family dearly, especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed spending time with her friends and traveling. Among the many locations she journeyed to were Florida, Hawaii, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Italy, and the Azores. She and Manny took day trips to nearby casinos where Delores displayed her exemplary blackjack skills. The one trip she loved the most though was a family cruise with her children and grandchildren to Bermuda.

She was an avid New England sports fan, especially the Red Sox and Patriots, and she rarely missed a game or the after-game calls with her sons for a play-by-play analysis. It wasn’t only the pros she admired; she could always be found at her sons’ sporting events, cheering them on from the sidelines.

Delores had a great appreciation for music and especially enjoyed the Platters and the Beach Boys. At their 50th Anniversary Celebration, she and Manny danced to “Through the Years” by Kenny Rogers, another favorite of hers.

In addition to her loving husband Manuel, Delores is survived by her sons, David W. Rezendes and his wife Dolores, and Steven M. Rezendes and his wife Tara; her grandchildren: Justin, Sean, Emily and Shannon Rezendes, and Lauren Nickerson and her husband Grant; her great-grandchildren: Avery, Emmett and Cadence Nickerson; and her sister, Eileen Coughlin, and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Alice Goguen, Hilda Andrade and Evelyn Warren.

Visitation will be held at Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford, MA, 02745, on Sunday, January 4, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Relatives and friends are invited. Burial will be private. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org in her honor.