Ilene Fernandes

Ilene (Valles) Fernandes, 94, of Dartmouth died January 19, 2026 peacefully at home surrounded by her family.
She was the wife of the late Manuel Fernandes, Jr.
Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late John E. and Virginia (Oliveira) Valles, she lived in New Bedford most of her life before moving to Dartmouth.
She was formerly employed as a stitcher in the textile mills before her role as a diet instructor at The Diet Workshop, was a personal chef for Dr.'s Robert and Barbara Greene and later was a teachers aide in the New Bedford Public School System for over 15 years until her retirement.
Mrs. Fernandes was a communicant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.
She was an avid Red Sox fan and enjoyed watching local softball. Mrs. Fernandes was well known and admired in the softball community. She had a fond affection, for actor Andy Garcia. She had a passion for music, dancing, baking, cookouts, reunions, world travel and socializing with family and friends. Her faith, family and friends were the cornerstone of her values.
Mrs. Fernandes was a volunteer at Fort Taber Military Museum where her brothers are enshrined.
Survivors include her 2 sons, Manuel A. Fernandes and his wife Nancy and Ross Fernandes and his wife Jaime, all of New Bedford; 2 daughters, Doreen Oliveira and her husband Joseph of New Bedford and Dyan Violet of Dartmouth; a sister-in-law, Anna Valles of New Bedford; 9 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was the mother of the late Steven Fernandes and the sister of the late Estelle "Stella" Pires, Walter Valles, Alvaro "Bob" Valles, Benjamin "Ben" Valles, Fernando "Clark" Valles and John E. Valles. She was close with all of their spouses as well.
Her Funeral will be held on Wednesday, January 28th at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 230 Bonney St. New Bedford at 10 AM. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, January 27th from 4-8 PM.