Mary M. Freitas

Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of the late Joseph S. and Agnes P. (Moniz) Silva. She and her husband of 63 years, Michael R. Freitas, made their home in Westport in 1971, where they raised their family and became part of the community.

Mary dedicated 40 years of her life to education, teaching 4th, 5th, and 6th grade in the Fall River School Department, and retiring from N. B. Borden Elementary School in 2001. A lifelong learner herself, she graduated from Mount St. Mary’s Academy for Girls in 1957, earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Education from Salve Regina University in 1961, and went on to receive a master’s degree in Guidance Counseling from Rhode Island College in 1969.

A woman of deep faith, Mary was an active communicant of Our Lady of Grace Church in Westport, where she taught CCD until 1984. She was also a proud member of the Massachusetts Teachers’ Association, the National Educators’ Association, and the Fall River Retired Teachers’ Association.

Beyond her career and community service, Mary lived life with joy and passion. She saw more of the world after retirement than many see in their entire lives. She was an avid tennis player, she also loved horseback riding, traveling, swimming, hiking, and playing bridge and mahjong.

Along with her husband, she is survived by her daughter, I Am the Ocean; her grandsons, Noah C. Sky and Cai J. Noel; her siblings, Dolly Bentson, Sr. Teresa M. Silva, Rita Furnberg, Margaret Ross, Carol Ann Silva, Laurindo M. Silva, and Paul M. Silva; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, Dr. George M. Silva and Joseph M. Silva.

A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Grace Church, 569 Sanford Rd, Westport. Arrangements are in the care of the Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, 178 Winter Street, Fall River, MA 02720.