Candida Rocha Gomes, 103, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2019 at her daughter's home in Pawtucket. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends.

In 1966, at the age of 51, Candida migrated to the US from Brava, Cape Verde. She started her journey in Jersey City, New Jersey where she worked at Bargin Company making toys. She lived there for 5 months before moving to Rhode Island in search of employment. Her late husband, Antonio M. Gomes, who also migrated from Cape Verde, joined her in Pawtucket in August of 1967. She worked at International Stretch in Pawtucket for 15 years until she retired. She enjoyed cooking and crocheting. In fact, she didn’t put down her crochet needles until just a few months ago. Candida was widely known for her gracious hospitality. She strictly but lovely enforced one rule when you visited her…no one leaves without having something eat and drink.

She is the daughter of the late Jose Gomes and Purpeta Rocha. She is survived by her 5 children Joaquim Gomes and his wife Clarinda of Pawtucket, Maria Gomes of Pawtucket, Jose Rocha and his companion Laura Inocencio of North Providence, Lucilia Gomes and her husband Antonio G. Gomes of Pawtucket and Antonio Gomes and his wife Jennie of Tampa, Florida. She is also survived by her stepchildren Fernando Gomes and his wife Precilia, Domingas Fortes and her husband Cecilio, Laura DaGraca and her husband Joao, Adelino Gomes and his wife Amelia, Pedro Gomes and his wife Domingas, Eugenia Azevedo, Boaventuro Cardoso and his wife Angelina all from Pawtucket, Antonio Fortes (East Providence), Jose Fortes (East Providence), John Fortes and his wife Joana (Providence), Charlene Fortes-Tavares(East Providence) and Abilio Macedo and his wife Matilda (New Bedford).
She was preceded in death by her husband, Antonio M. Gomes, her sister Olivia Rocha, her daughter-in-law Ana Rocha, her stepdaughters Quiteria Gomes, Clarisa Gomes, Maria Correia and her husband Benvindo, her stepson Manuel Cardoso and her grandson Jose Gomes.

Candida was blessed to have a large loving family which included 54 grandchildren, 101 great grandchildren and 8 great great grandchildren. We will miss her sarcastic sense of humor, her generosity and her peaceful nature.

Her funeral will be held on Saturday June 8, 2019 at 8:00am from the Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Higginson Avenue, Lincoln R.I., with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Church, Pine St., Pawtucket at 9:30am Interment services will be at Mt. St. Mary Cemetery, Prospect St., Pawtucket. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend calling hours on Friday, June 7th from 5:00 to 8:00pm.