Marjorie Nunes Souza

Born on December 27, 1936 to the late Anthony and Rose Nunes, Marjorie—known lovingly as “Marge”—was the high school sweetheart and devoted wife of the late Ronald J. Souza. They shared 63 years of marriage and a lifetime of cherished memories together. She was also predeceased by her sister, Eleanor Patnode, and her brother, Robert Nunes.

Marge is survived by her three daughters: Kathleen Souza-Pontes and her husband Randy of Dartmouth; Nancy Souza and her wife Tami Wilkinson of Stamford, Connecticut; and Lynn Souza and her partner Valerie Suto of Monroe, Connecticut. She was a proud grandmother to Kate Souza-Manahan, Daniel Trifone and his partner Kelli James, Allyson Souza and her fiancé Forrest Maddox, Jessica Souza, Jordyn Chymbor-Souza and Sean Pontes and his wife Amanda from Dartmouth, and a loving great-grandmother to Elizabeth, Maxwell, and Wyatt Manahan, and Kameron, Sarah, Benjamin, and Alexander Pontes. She also leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews, along with many dear friends and neighbors.

A 1954 graduate of Dartmouth High School and a 1958 graduate of Bridgewater State University, Marge went on to earn two master’s degrees in physical education and special education. She had a unique affinity for alternate methods of teaching and dedicated her professional life to helping young people thrive.

Marge began her career teaching phys ed in Dartmouth before spending 30 years in the Greenwich Elementary School System in Connecticut. Upon retirement to Dartmouth, she worked for 15 years at Davoll’s General Store, where her warmth and kindness made her a familiar and welcome presence.

Ron and Marge moved from the Dartmouth area in 1962, purchased their Round Hill home in 1991 while still living in Stamford, CT—where they resided for more than 30 years—and became full-time Dartmouth residents again in 1998 after retiring. Since then, Round Hill remained their beloved home, and Marge could often be found on the beach there, listening to the waves and enjoying her favorite book.

Deeply connected to her community, Marge supported numerous local organizations, including the Zeiterion Theatre, the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, and the Dartmouth Council on Aging. Through the Council on Aging, she enjoyed Bridge, meditation, yoga, and line dancing, and treasured regular lunches and memory-sharing gatherings with her many friends. A devoted Catholic, Marge was an active member of St. Mary’s Church in Dartmouth, taught catechism, and sang in multiple church choirs over the years.

Athletics played a central role in Marge’s life. She was proud of her athletic background and served as a longtime coach for her three daughters in softball and soccer. An avid tennis player, swimmer, and beach lover, she also enjoyed golf outings at the Round Hill golf course and was a longtime fan of the historic Boston Braves.

Marge had a musician’s soul—she played the violin and piano and had a special love for operatic/classical music and tenor, Mario Lanza. She was a longtime subscriber to the New York City Ballet and the Metropolitan Opera and delighted in taking her grandchildren to see The Nutcracker. At home, she found joy in tending her beautiful hydrangea gardens, bird watching and feeding, and savoring simple pleasures like movies with popcorn, fudge brownie espresso ice cream, and classic New England clam boils. She had an enduring love for the beach, where she felt most at peace.

Family was always at the heart of Marge’s life. What she enjoyed most was simply being together with those she loved. Of particular joy were the many years of family winter vacations in the Dominican Republic, treasured family sojourns to the Azores, and sharing summers at “Bayscape” with her beloved grandchildren.

Marge lived a rich and purposeful life, full of generosity, marked by devotion to family, service to others, and a spirit of warmth, strength, and grace. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

Visitation will take place on Friday, March 6 from 4:00 to 8:00PM in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Rd., South Dartmouth, MA. A funeral mass is scheduled for Saturday, March 7 at 10:00 AM, St. Mary’s Church, 795 Dartmouth St., Dartmouth, MA. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, 664 Allen Street, New Bedford, MA. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Dartmouth Friends of the Elderly, 628 Dartmouth St., Dartmouth, MA 02748.