Hilda P. Dagenais

Born on January 19, 1922 in New Bedford, MA, she was the daughter of the late Anthony P. and Marie A. (Pacheco) Ponte.

Hilda graduated at the top of her class from Holy Family High School in New Bedford, fluent in three languages. On the morning after her graduation, she applied and accepted a job with the New Bedford Registry of Deeds.

On February 6, 1943, she married the love of her life, Norman O. Dagenais and they moved to Berkley, MA, where they established a poultry farm. While in Berkley, she worked for Swank’s Jewelry in Attleboro. Throughout Norman’s career serving in the armed forces, he and Hilda raised their family in Germany, Texas , Indiana and Massachusetts.

After retiring to Cape Cod in 1966, Hilda dedicated her life to her church. She was a member of the ladies District group, past secretary and president of the Holy Trinity Lady’s Guild, the head of the Mission Group for 40 years, was a Eucharistic Minister and taught catechism. The Bishop of Fall River also awarded her with the Marion Award for her devoted service to her beloved church.

Hilda and Norm ran a small farm which was called “Tomato Heaven.”

Hilda enjoyed bowling and was the 1990 Massachusetts State Senior’s Bowling Champion. She attended 15 National WIBC Tournaments. She was also a past director of the Cape Cod Women’s Bowling Association. More than anything, she cherished the time that she shared with her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family meant everything to her.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Norman O. Dagenais; her sisters, Mary Ellenefski, Elsie Lareau, Jean Cambra, Olivia Gorman, Sylvia Beeson, Chloe Blackmore, Theresa Kivindis, Agnes Ponte, Isabelle Casey; and her brother, Manuel Ponte.

She is survived by her two daughters, Carolyn Cook Dagenais of Callaway, FL, Jo Anne Dagenais of Harwich, MA; her grandsons, Ronald L. Cook and his wife, Janet of Callaway, FL, Michael S. Cook and his wife, Darla of Pensacola, FL; her great grandchildren, Steven Cook, Brandon Cook, Aliya Cook; her sister in law, Lillian Ponte of New Bedford; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at Holy Trinity Church, 246 Route 28 in West Harwich. Burial in Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Hilda’s memory may be made to the Holy Trinity Parish Capital Improvements Campaign, P.O. Box 428, West Harwich, MA 02671.