Violette "Vi" Martins

Violette “Vi” R. Martins, 88 of New Bedford, passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at The Oaks. She was the wife of Jose “Joe” Martins with whom she shared 31 years of marriage. She was predeceased by her first husband George Machado and her second husband Walter J. Oliveira

Vi was born in New Bedford, on April 14, 1926 to the late Rene and Ida (Laforest) St. Gelais. She was a resident of New Bedford for over 40 years. She also resided in Cape Cod, San Francisco, CA and Florida.

Vi received her degree in Travel and Tourism in New Bedford, where she worked as a Travel Agent at Crown Travel for 25 years. During this time she met her loving husband Joe. In addition to being a travel agent she was also a stitcher, while bringing up her boys, a Jewelry Wholesaler from Violette’s Jewelers of New Bedford and an Elevator Operator at the New Bedford Standard Times. Vi was also an active parishioner at Our Lady of Fatima, where she was a member of the Women’s Guild and the Couples Club. Vi enjoyed exercising daily at the gym. She will be missed by her family, whom she loved very much.

In addition to her husband survivors include: two sons, Roger Machado and his wife Diane of Sebastian, FL, and Paul Machado of CO; two step daughters Lynn Harrison and her husband Scott, of Fairhaven, and Susan McCarthy and her husband Robert of Dartmouth; ten grandchildren; six great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; a brother, Donald St. Gelais and his wife Germaine; a daughter-in-law, Verna Machado and several nieces and nephews. She was also the mother of the late Dennis Machado; sister of the late Roland St. Gelais and mother-in-law of the late Robin Machado.

Her funeral mass will be held Monday, January 26, 2015 at 10 AM in Our Lady of Fatima Church, 4256 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford. Burial will be private.

Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to South Coast Hospital, Oncology Center, 206 Mill Rd., Fairhaven, MA 02719.

Arrangements are in the care of the ROCK Funeral Home.

For tributes, www.rock-funeralhome.com