With great sadness, we share the passing of our beloved Dorothy Josephine Barboza Duarte on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at the age of 95. She passed away peacefully in her home in Pawtucket, RI surrounded by loved ones.

Dorothy was born in Taunton, MA to the late John Barber and Josephine Monteiro Barber on August 25, 1929. She was a true friend and confidante that always had a word of encouragement for those she loved. To have known her was to know love. She was the epitome of compassion and of unbelievable strength; she overcame many obstacles and challenges in her life. Most people didn’t know that she was blind because of all that she was able to do and sometime do it better than a sighted person. Her blindness didn’t let that stop her from taking care of her family in every way a sighted person would. She had a great sense of humor and always loved a good joke or two. While attending Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA where she graduated from, she ran track and played the piano. She loved books and was an avid talking book reader, loved playing cards and bingo, loved shopping with her late sister Genevieve, and she loved reminiscing and talking about the old days but most of all, she loved spending time with her family whom she cherished.

Dorothy is survived by her Daughter, Gerri Duarte of Virginia Beach VA, her Grandchildren Charmaine Duarte & Dee Alves of Pawtucket RI, Azure Duarte of Newport RI, Jantiel Mosley of Newport RI, Michelle Duarte of New Bedford MA, Craig McClendon Jr., Briana Ford, and Corey McClendon all of Virginia Beach VA. She is also survived by twelve great grandchildren with one on the way, six great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents John and Josephine Monteiro Barber, daughters Leah and Darlene Duarte, her granddaughter Melissa Duarte, her siblings; Henry Barber, Erminna Barboza Seaforth, Antone Barber, Genevieve Barboza Douglas, John Barber Jr., Alfred Barber, William Barber and step-sister Barbara Perry.

To honor the life of this beautiful soul, visitation will be held at Keefe Funeral Home, Five Higgins Ave in Lincoln, RI on March 16th from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. A Catholic Mass will be held at St Jude’s the Apostle Catholic Church, 249 Whittenton St, Taunton, MA on March 17th at 10:00 am. Please meet directly at church. Burial will follow at St. Jude’s The Apostle Section of St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 475 East Britannia St., Taunton, MA.

Memorial donations may be made to Hope Health Hospice & Palliative Care, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904 or at https://www.hopehealthco.org/ways-to-give/donatenow/donate-to-hopehealth-hospice-palliative-care/. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Hope Health Hospice & Palliative Care as we are so grateful and thankful for the excellent care they provided to her and her family.