97, of Providence, passed peacefully on Nov 20th, 2016 at home, surrounded by her loving family. A lifelong resident of Providence, Candida was the daughter of Francisco and Emeliana "Gomes" DaSilva. She was the beloved wife of the late Jose L. Tavares "Bendera". She had a brother Arnold S. Gomes and a sister Maria R. Lockett "Gomes", who predeceased her. Candida was a communicant of Holy Name of Jesus Church for many years, served as a Eucharist Minister, member of the Gospel Choir, and Trustee until last year when she became ill. She was also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She served as State President from 1975-1976, becoming the first and only Cape Verdean to serve in this position until 2011, when her daughter Theresa L. Christy held that same positon. Candida also spent many years as a nurse's aide, volunteering on the Ahern Pilgrimage to St Anne's in Canada. After Candida retired from RI Hospital, she volunteered at Hallworth House in Providence and the Little Sisters of the Poor in Pawtucket for many years.
She had six children and a step son, her son Joseph L. Tavares Jr and her stepson Hermenigildo Tavares predeceased her. She is survived by her 5 daughters, Mary L. Schenck, Joanna R.L. Fernandez, Theresa L. Christy "Clarance", Bernadette L. Means-Tavares, Rita Ann L. Tavares-Burk "Kenric", 51 Grandchildren, 84 Greatgrandchildren, and 64 great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and an abundance of Friends who also loved her. She will be missed and we will carry her in our hearts forever.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, December 1st at 10 a.m. in the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, 99 Camp St., Providence. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence. CALLING HOURS will be held Wednesday, November 30th from 1 - 3 p.m. and 5 - 7 p.m. at Candida's residence, 40 Jenkins St., Providence, R.I. 02906.
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97, of Providence, passed peacefully on Nov 20th, 2016 at home, surrounded by her loving family. A lifelong resident of Providence, Candida was the daughter of Francisco and Emeliana "Gomes" DaSilva. She was the beloved wife of the late Jose L. Tavares "Bendera". She had a brother Arnold S. Gomes and a sister Maria R. Lockett "Gomes", who predeceased her. Candida was a communicant of Holy Name of Jesus Church for many years, served as a Eucharist Minister, member of the Gospel Choir, and Trustee until last year when she became ill. She was also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She served as State President from 1975-1976, becoming the first and only Cape Verdean to serve in this position until 2011, when her daughter Theresa L. Christy held that same positon. Candida also spent many years as a nurse's aide, volunteering on the Ahern Pilgrimage to St Anne's in Canada. After Candida retired from RI Hospital, she volunteered at Hallworth House in Providence and the Little Sisters of the Poor in Pawtucket for many years.
She had six children and a step son, her son Joseph L. Tavares Jr and her stepson Hermenigildo Tavares predeceased her. She is survived by her 5 daughters, Mary L. Schenck, Joanna R.L. Fernandez, Theresa L. Christy "Clarance", Bernadette L. Means-Tavares, Rita Ann L. Tavares-Burk "Kenric", 51 Grandchildren, 84 Greatgrandchildren, and 64 great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and an abundance of Friends who also loved her. She will be missed and we will carry her in our hearts forever.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, December 1st at 10 a.m. in the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, 99 Camp St., Providence. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence. CALLING HOURS will be held Wednesday, November 30th from 1 - 3 p.m. and 5 - 7 p.m. at Candida's residence, 40 Jenkins St., Providence, R.I. 02906.
