Venadys "Betty" Arminio

Born in Fairhaven, daughter of the late Frank Ponte and Julia (Machado) Ponte Jarvis, she lived in Fairhaven until she married Dr. John in 1948 and moved to Fall River.

While attending Fairhaven High School, she worked at Woolworth’s to pay for singing lessons, and she was featured in several classical concerts. After graduation, Betty attended St. Anne’s Hospital Nursing School where Dr. John Arminio was one of her professors. Betty worked as a private duty nurse for several years (most notably caring for singer Vaughn Monroe’s son) before marrying Dr. John.

Betty occasionally assisted in her husband’s office at their home on South Main Street, was an infrequent golfer at New Bedford Country Club, and a member of the Friends of St. Anne’s. But she was best known for her devotion to her husband and three children, and all the wonderful food that came out of her busy kitchen. Having grown up during the depression, food was love, and Betty fed the world, especially during Christmas when people flocked to see the enchanting displays the Arminio’s put up on their lawn.

She is survived by son John (married, with two sons) of Georgia; daughter Jill (married, with one daughter) of Massachusetts; son James (married, with two daughters) of South Florida; two sisters, Cynthia Gracia and Joyce Costa of Fairhaven; five grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was sister of the late Lionel Perry Ponte.

Family will receive relatives and friends Tuesday January 21 from 6pm to 8pm at the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEMORIAL TRIBUTE at CHERRY PLACE, 178 Winter St., Fall River. Her Funeral will be held Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 10:00AM in the Waring-Sullivan chapel with Burial in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River. For tributes or directions: www.waring-sullivan.com