Maria Martinha Fernandes

Born in Funchal, Madeira, a daughter of the late Martinho and Celeste (Freitas) Oliveira, she immigrated to the United States in 1975 and had lived in New Bedford since 1980.

Mrs. Fernandes was a School Teacher in Madeira for several years. She also worked as a Seamstress at the former Cameo Curtain in New Bedford. She was a communicant of St. Killian Church for many years, where she helped as a cook in the kitchen and volunteered during bingo. She had also volunteered at Taber Street Nursing Home for several years. She enjoyed sewing, reading, and most of all spending time with her daughter.

She is survived by a daughter Rosemary Mugan and her husband Timothy of Greenville, RI; a granddaughter, Maria Mugan; three brothers, Joaõ, José and Avelinho Oliveira; a sister Maria-José Andrade and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to her funeral mass Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 9:30 AM in the chapel at Our Lady’s Haven, 71 Center Street, Fairhaven. Burial will be in MA National Cemetery, Bourne at 1:30 PM. Visiting hours, Wednesday 5-7 PM in the ROCK Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford. Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to Our Lady’s Haven, 71 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719.