Ida (Leal) Pereira

Ida (Leal) Pereira, 92, of New Bedford passed away Friday, May 31, 2019. Ida was the loving wife of the late Augustinho “Gus” Nunes Pereira for over 69 years and mother to three daughters Rosemary Pereira, Jane Brightman and Linda Fiano.

Born in and a lifelong resident of New Bedford, Ida was the daughter of the late Manuel Joaquim Leal and Isaura de Jesus Rodrigues. Ida was a professional seamstress employed by several New Bedford mills. She was also an active member of the VFW Post 6643 in East Freetown MA and St. Theresa’s Ladies Guild of New Bedford MA. Gus with his brother, Arthur Nunes Pereira, were the former proprietors of Pereira Bros. Market on Coggeshall Street in New Bedford MA.

In their retirement Ida and Gus traveled extensively throughout the United States. Music and dancing held a special place in their hearts. In later years, Ida took up gardening sharing her green thumb with her neighbors at her senior residence. Ida was loving, strong-willed and outgoing. Ida will be missed by all!

Ida was predeceased by her daughter Jane Brightman and is survived by two daughters, Rosemary Pereira and her partner David Gibbs of Westport, MA and Linda Fiano and her husband Andy Fiano of El Cajon, CA; son-in-law, Peter Brightman of Fairhaven, MA; two grandchildren, Matthew Brightman and his wife, Colleen Brightman, of Foxboro, MA and Marc Brightman and Anne Marie Barbagallo, of North Andover, MA; loving great-grandchildren, Caitlin, Jack, Kristina and Angiolina Brightman; two sisters, Palmira Pereira of New Bedford, MA and Eva Sniezek of Tiverton, RI; a brother, James R. Leal of Fairhaven MA and many nieces, nephews and friends. Ida was the sister of the late Joseph M. Leal, Fernando R. Leal and Laurinda Albert Hulina.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, June 14, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Pine Grove Cemetery, Ashley Blvd., New Bedford MA. In her final days the staff of The Oaks provided Ida and her family with exceptional care and support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Oaks, Activity Account, 4525 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford MA 02745. For online tribute www.rock-funeralhome.com.