Julia (Pina) Pina, aged 91, lifelong resident of New Bedford, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend went home to the Lord on October 3rd, 2012 after a declining period of health.

Mrs. Pina was born in New Bedford on July 4th 1921 to the late Joseph and Belmira (Fortes) Pina.

She was the beloved wife of the late Henry "Harry" Pina, to whom she was married to for 54 years until his death in 1997. Her proudest achievement was raising her eight children and being the Matriarch of her family.

Mrs. Pina attended New Bedford Public Schools. She was a founding member and 35 year President of the United Social Club Women's Auxiliary. Mrs. Pina was also a founding member of the Scholarship Committee, children's Christmas party committee, and food distribution to the poor of her community. She was an educational advocate and proud of the achievements of her children, grandchildren, great and great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Pina worked at ONBOARD, Inc. as a head cook, and at Mutterperl Manufacturing and Aerovox Corporation. During World War II, Mrs. Pina was an Air Warden and proudly wore the honor of being a Bay Village mom. Over the years, she received numerous awards and accolades for her work in the Cape Verdean community. She was known for her humanity and sense of humor, was a prolific cook, had a sharp wit and was a person who always brightened the lives of the many people she touched in her life. She was a communicant of Our Lady of the Assumption Church.

Mrs. Pina is survived by her children, Cynthia Lobo and her husband Lawrence of Plymouth, Henry Pina, Larry Pina and his wife Dana, Linda Pina and her husband, Leroy Walcott, Colleen Pina-Garron and her husband Christopher, all of New Bedford, Doreen Pena-Pina of Fayetteville, North Carolina and Gail Pina and her husband Cortez Crosby of Dublin, OH. She was the grandmother to 21 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and friends.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Loretta "Lolly" Silva, her grandson, Brian Silva, her sisters, Rose Silva, Florence Andrews, Bea Baptista, Senora Larkin, Madeline "Chubeen" Halstead, Mary "Mae" Gomes, and her brother, Avelino "VeVe" Pina.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 9:30 AM at Our Lady of Assumption Church. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Monday from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.