Maria Nina Amelia Mattos Pinto

Maria A. “Nina” (Mattos) Pinto, age 78, passed away January 8, 2016. Born in New Bedford, a daughter of the late John and Carolina (Fagundes) Mattos, she resided in Acushnet for most of her life and wintered in Sarasota, FL for many years.

A graduate of New Bedford High School, she worked as a seamstress tailoring for Ann Marie’s Costumes in Acushnet for over 20 years before retiring. Nina also worked at Saks Fifth Avenue while living in Florida. She was a communicant of St. Francis Xavier Church, loved mahjong and her collection of fairy dolls. Crafting was her talent, where she could take any old item and transform it into something beautiful.

She is survived by her daughter: Julie L. Phaneuf and her partner Daniel of New Bedford, her son: James E. Pinto and his wife Renee C. of Acushnet, a sister: Juliette Rocha and her husband Frank of Sarasota, FL, a brother: August Mattos and his wife Margie of New Bedford, two grandchildren: Lyndsey M. Niles and her husband Ian and Lauren Schaller and her husband John, three great-grandchildren: Willow, Caroline, and Jane, and several nieces and nephews. She was mother of the late Jeffrey J. Pinto who predeceased her on January 7, 2016 and sister of the late Dennis Mattos.

Together with her son, Jeffrey, a Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, January 18, 2016 at 9:30AM in St. Mary’s Church, 343 Tarkiln Hill Rd., New Bedford. Visiting hours will be Sunday from 3 to 6 pm at the ROCK FUNERAL HOME, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford. Contributions in her honor may be made to Susan G. Komen at http://ww5.komen.org/. For tributes or directions visit www.rock-funeralhome.com