at the age of 75, passed away June 11th surrounded by her husband, children, grandchildren and brothers. She was the wife of Carlos Avila; On May 12th they celebrated 57 years of marriage.
Born in Lajes, Terceira, Açores, She was the daughter of the late Francisco C. and Maria (Oliveira) Avelar.
She had been employed by Peterson Puritan of Cumberland for many years before retiring in 1999.
Maria was a member Grupo Amigos da Terceira.
Besides her husband she is survived by six daughters, Irene Amaral and her husband Antonio Amaral, Mary-John Santos and her husband Victor Santos, Ana Avila, Fatima Avila and her fiancé Claudio Aguiar, Odilia Avila and Paula Rodrigues and her husband João Rodrigues, a daughter in law, Maria João Avila,two brothers, Manuel Avelar and his wife Elsa and José Avelar and his wife Maria, a sister in law Elisa Avelar, 13 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was the mother of the late Carlos Avila, grandmother of the late Crystal Rodrigues, and sister of the late Francisco Avelar.
Her funeral will be held Wednesday at 8:30am from the Keefe Funeral Home, Five Higginson Ave, Lincoln with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Anthony Church, Lawn Ave, Pawtucket at 10am. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cumberland. Relatives and friends are invited. Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 5 to 8pm