Fatima da Silva Gomes

Fatima Gomes, 62, of New Bedford passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 17, 2025 in St. Luke’s Hospital surrounded by her family. Fatima was born on the island of Terceira, Azores to Antonio and Natalia (Riscado) Gomes. Her entry into the world was a difficult one being born with seizures. Fatima’s mind never developed beyond that of an 8-year-old but, for her, it was the secret to her unbounded joy. She was completely unencumbered by worry. She lived fully in the moment, and she lived it loudly and brightly.

Fatima loved bright colors. The more the better. She felt that way about animal prints too. She was the person that would show up at Thanksgiving with a loud Christmas outfit on. Moments that may seem mundane to the world were life changing moments of delight for her. Like when green, yellow, blue nail polish colors were invented. The old colors were so “boring” and she loved having her nails done, especially by her niece. Fatima also loved and held onto much of the music from her childhood with two of her favorites being Donny Osmond and Rick Springfield. Both of whom she was thrilled to see live in her later years. Fatima was a “Jessie’s Girl“ and had the clothing to prove it.

Fatima was a social butterfly who thrived around people. The more the better. She loved activity and chaos. And she was incredibly lucky to have met people throughout her life who would grow to love her and support her. She spent decades at a day program for disabled adults (Community Connections in Fairhaven, MA). It provided all she wanted: lots of companionship, exercise, karaoke, gossip and time in the community. For her family it was respite without worry. She was cared for and valued tremendously there. They were family.

Fatima loved cooking and copying recipes from books. After graduation from New Bedford High School, Fatima attended a transition program at Johnson and Wales where she learned the basics of hospitality. She loved it and would love it for the rest of her life. Her cooking buddy was her brother-in-law, Damien.

Fatima was extremely confident. She thought herself to be quite funny. And she was, despite no one getting her “jokes”. She connected dots very differently than the rest of us but it provided great laughs and great “Fatima quotes”. Covid was very hard for Fatima since her social interactions were cut off. But she kept trying to sneak off to visit her wonderful and loving neighbors. So, her sister told her that if the police saw her knocking on their doors that she would be arrested. Fatima responded with, “I don't want to go to Connecticut”. Once, upon seeing a Great Dane, she told everyone that would listen that she had seen “the big Dan”. We will be quoting her for the rest of our lives.

Fatima is survived by her mother Natalia Riscado Gomes, her sister Isabel Gomes McCann, her brother-in-law Damien McCann and the lights of her life, her nephew/godson Ian and her niece Eva McCann. She is also survived by many cousins in Canada and Portugal.

She lives on through her wonderful community and especially the amazing work that continues on at Community Connections.

Fatima was blessed to have incredible friends who were family to her, Maria de Araujo who also was her personal care attendant for almost 2 decades. Her dear friends Ana Silva (whose hair salon Fatima wandered into one day and never left) and the late Heidi Patnaude who often took her out for rides and bought Fatima crazy earrings to wear. Heidi had been her manager at Friendly’s in North Dartmouth.

Fatima was predeceased by her father, Antonio. Now they will once again be together. Finally, Fatima would want you to know two things:  At 62 she had no grey hair and that her sister was “bossy“.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Community Connections at 10 David Drown Blvd Fairhaven, MA 02719 in her memory would help her friends there to keep singing karaoke, bowling and going into the community and be fully supported by the amazing staff that cares for them daily. It would be greatly appreciated.

Visitation will be Saturday, May 24, 2025 9-11a.m. in the Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford with a funeral service at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery. For online tribute/directions: www.rock-funeralhome.com.