Linda M. (Dias) Canasta, 78, of New Bedford passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Vibra Hospital with her family at her side after a long and courageous battle with ALS. Linda was the loving wife of the late Gilbert C. Canasta. Together they shared 48 years of marriage.
Born in New Bedford, a daughter of the late Manuel and Maria Regina (Motta) Dias she was a lifelong area resident and a communicant of St. Mary’s Church, Dartmouth.
Mrs. Canasta worked at Calvin Clothing and Mars Bargainland. More recently, she worked in St. Luke’s emergency room and for various physicians before retiring from Treeland Florist. Linda was devoted to spending time and watching her grandchildren. In her spare time, she also enjoyed gardening and going to lunch with her Mars Buddies once a month.
She is survived by her children, Michael Canasta and daughter-in-law Kelly Canasta of New Bedford and Michelle Tavares and her husband Robert of Dartmouth; five grandchildren, Hannah Canasta, Abigail Tavares, Emilyn Tavares, Timothy Tavares, and Lily Tavares; brothers, Alexander "Andy" Dias and his wife Suelly of Hiawatha, KS and Albino "Bino" Dias and his wife Joan of Dartmouth; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the grandmother of the late Jason Rodrigues.
Her funeral will be Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 9 a.m. from the Waring-Sullivan Home at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Rd., Dartmouth followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, 789 Dartmouth St., Dartmouth. Burial will follow in S. Dartmouth Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday 5-7 p.m. Flowers are welcome or donations in her memory may be made to ALS Association, 1300 Wilson Blvd., Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22209 or www.als.org. For online tribute/directions: www.waring-sullivan.com.
