Jeannette E. Rodrigues

Born and raised in New Bedford, a daughter of the late William Arruda, Sr. and Yvonne (Parent) Arruda, she had resided in Dartmouth for over 25 years then moved back to New Bedford where she has lived ever since.

Mrs. Rodrigues had worked in the Dartmouth School system as a lunch lady until her retirement in 1998. She previously worked as a stitcher at Cliftex Manufacturing.

Jeannette was a woman of strong faith. She was a talented seamstress and sewed everything imaginable. She and her husband enjoyed camping and were members of the Whaling City Sam’s Camping Club. Most of all, her life revolved around her grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom she adored.

Her family includes two daughters, Susan Malfitano and husband Richard of Port Orange, FL and Nancy Rodrigues of New Bedford; her sister, Colleen Costa of FL; eight grandchildren, Shannon DeValles (Andrew), Amy Lutinski (Todd), Katelyn Sylvia (Brian Coelho), April Melendez (William), Raymond Rodrigues (Jasmine Medeiros), Jayde Hinton (Alex Santiago), Keisha Rodrigues and Paul M. Rodrigues; thirteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was mother of the late Paul and Daniel Rodrigues, sister of the late Arthur, Charles and William Arruda, Jr. and Shirley Chase; and grandmother of the late Jason Rodrigues. She leaves her beloved dogs, Bella and Bentley.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 from 8-9:30am in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Rd., Dartmouth followed by a Funeral Mass at 10am in St. Mary’s Church, 783 Dartmouth St., Dartmouth. Burial will follow in South Dartmouth Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.