Maria José Fontes passed away at the age of 85, peacefully in her home in Pawtucket, RI on June 9, 2022 surrounded by her beloved children and family.

Born in Assomada, Santa Catarina, Cabo Verde. She was the daughter of the late Manuel Fontes and Teodora Monteiro Fontes. She was given strong values by her parents. As the youngest daughter, she was compelled to attend school and asked her father to pay her school fees. He agreed and she pursued her secondary education. She attended high school in Mindelo, São Vicente and in Praia, Santiago. She was a proud graduate because at that time, this was the highest educational attainment possible on the Island. While still a student, her duty to serve and her love for her culture led her to work to serve the less fortunate and help the youth learn about Luso-Cape Verdean cultural performances. She became an Elementary school teacher and later a Middle school teacher/Professora de Ciclo Preparatorio in Cape Verde.

She was committed to higher education and went on to obtain additional Diplomas to help her complete her future assignments. She moved to Angola between 1963-1976. She worked as a supervisor in charge of placement for the Angolan National Job Service and in the Department of Justice in Angola as a legal secretary. During the tumultuous times in Angola, she earned another Diploma in Religious Studies. After marrying her husband, the late Belarmino Vieira Lopes also from Assomada, the couple immigrated to the United States from Angola in 1978. They settled in Providence’s Fox Point neighborhood and later in Pawtucket. There, they would raise their family and create community in their new land.

Maria José was a woman of faith and an active member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Pawtucket. She was the first President of the Legion of Mary. Much of her life was dedicated to mentoring family and friends in the church community. Among her family’s fondest memories of Maria José were her making her famous pastéis de atum and delicious Cuscus. She loved cooking and she was always known for serving a warm plate of delicious food when visitors came by regardless if they were hungry or not. She would sing church songs around the house. She took chartered trips to religious places such as Jerusalem, Israel, The Vatican, Rome and Fátima, Portugal. She was an avid gardener, her gardens displayed flowers and vegetables, many from her homeland. You could often find her outside watering her favorite plants on the veranda. Her lush green yard was a welcome sight and a testament of her tireless efforts because as a single mother, she was able to purchase her own home. Part of Maria José’s charm was how loved guests felt in her presence and especially in her home.

The family of Maria José Fontes are beyond words and gratitude for the amazing care that was shown to her by her caretaker Ana Andrade, her good friend Maria Socorro Gonçalves and her dear nieces and nephew: Ligia Fontes, Lurdes Fontes Borts, Maria Fatima Fontes Veiga, Maria do Rosario Fontes, Maria Ivonne Fontes and José Fontes.

She is survived by her two loving children Ana Sofia Lopes Johnson and Pedro Lopes, and their spouses Trent Johnson and Mariza G. Lopes; her five treasured grandchildren: Emerson Lopes, Dominic Johnson, Natalia Johnson, Nora G. Lopes and Alma G. Lopes, her many nieces and nephews, two brothers; Aquiles Fontes of Royal Palm Beach Florida and Emidio Fontes of Odivelas, Portugal; three sisters; Severa Fontes of Mindelo, Cape Verde; Santa Fontes of Santa Catarina, Cape Verde and Paulina Monteiro of Amadora, Portugal. She was the sister of the late Eduardo Fontes, Vital Fontes, Joana Fontes Pestana, Fernando Fontes, José Marcos Fontes, Margarida Fontes, Jaime Vieira Fontes, and Marcelino Rodrigues.

Funeral Mass for Maria José Fontes will take place DIRECTLY at The Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Pawtucket on Saturday, June 18th, 2022 at 11:00 AM (EST), 291 High Street, Pawtucket, RI followed by internment at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence. Family and friends are most welcomed. Masks required during for indoor services at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family would request that contributions be made to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, the first and only Cape Verdean church in the state of Rhode Island. Donations can be made by mail or Cash App: Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 35 Clay Street Central Falls, RI 02863 or Cash App (Tag $Pihomc).