Julia A. (Costa) Pires, 90, of New Bedford passed away surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday May 21, 2025. She was the beloved wife of the late Raymond Pires who passed in 2012. They married in 1955, and would have celebrated their 70th anniversary in April.

Julia was born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late David and Julia (Roderick) Costa.  She was raised in New Bedford, graduating from Holy Family High School in 1952. Julia and Raymond raised their family in New Bedford. In 1992 they moved to Fairhaven where they enjoyed their retirement.

She was a communicant of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. For many years she volunteered her time teaching CCD at St Lawrence Church.

Julia's greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed vacations with her family. She tended extensive flower gardens at her home in Fairhaven. She loved needle crafts, especially knitting. Julia was an accomplished seamstress. She fabricated costumes for many of the Laurel Tree Players productions at St Lawrence.  She designed patterns, made coats and prom dresses for her daughters, and could repair and mend any type of clothing.

Along with her husband, Julia worked tirelessly to give her children the best life possible. She was well-liked and highly respected as the floor manager of Manly Manufacturing, a garment factory that made women's apparel. She also had been a substitute teacher at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. Her final employment was in the office of Gilbert J. Costa Insurance Agency.

Julia will always be remembered as a loving and devoted mother and grandmother.

She is survived by her six children, Mary Dolores Pastie and her husband Kenneth of Rochester, Raymond Pires and his wife Barbara of New Bedford, Susan Pires of New Bedford, Stephen Pires and his wife Mary Lou of Marion, Christopher Pires and his wife Michelle of Acushnet, and Jennifer Levasseur and her husband Peter of New Bedford; her sister, Elizabeth Martins of New Bedford; her sisters-in-law, Patricia Costa of New Bedford and Yvette Costa of Acushnet. She also leaves behind twelve grandchildren, James, Matthew, Jonathan, Sean, Sarah, Kevin, Melissa, Brianna, Oliver, Emilie, Ella, and Drew; as well as twelve great-grandchildren, Hailey, Austin, Aubrey, Austin, Jack, Lucy, Sophia, Mia, Patrick, Adam, Hadley and Jonathan, and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her siblings, Dr. David Costa, Jr., Elsie Winsper, Albert Costa, Sr. Mary Kateri Costa, R.S.M, Gilbert Costa, Daniel Costa, Elaine Ferreira, Joseph Costa, and Agnes Guay.

The family would like to thank the nurses and aides of Hathaway Manor Unit 3 for their compassionate care of our dear mother.

Her funeral will be held on Wednesday May 28th at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church at 10 AM.  Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.  Visiting hours will be on Tuesday May 27th from 4-7 PM.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the St. Lawrence Church Food Pantry, 110 Summer St., New Bedford, MA 02740.  For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.