Maria de Lá-Salette (Santos) Ferreira, 99, of New Bedford passed away at home on Thursday, April 30, 2026 surrounded by her family and friends.

Born in Sao Nicolau, Cape Verde, daughter of the late Joao B. and Ana M. (Lopes) Ferreira, she lived in Cape Verde before moving to New Bedford in 1976.

She was formerly employed as a seamstress at several local textile mills for many years until her retirement.

Mrs. Ferreira will be sorely missed by all who crossed paths with her. She embraced everyone into her circle and made them feel loved and cherished. Her family and friends were everything to her. Throughout her life she enjoyed reading, music, dancing, crocheting, gardening, traveling the world and scratching cashword tickets.

Survivors include her five children, Ana M. Ferreira and her husband John Chludzinski of Scranton, PA, Ligia M. Ferreira, Solange S. Ferreira, Daniel S. Ferreira and his wife Celeste Ferro, and Celso S. Ferreira, all of New Bedford; and her beloved grandchildren, Kamisha Ferreira Gouveia and her husband Patrick Gouveia, Kayla Ferreira, and Prince John Ferreira; a bonus grandson, Kaito Araujo and a bonus great-grandson, Phenix Araujo; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was the sister of the late Marcelino Ferreira Santos, Jenny Medina, Augusto Ferreira Santos, Antonio Gusmão Ferreira, Aguinaldo Lopes Ferreira, Alda dosSantos and her surviving youngest sister Edla deBrito.

She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, John D. Ferreira.

In honor of Lá-Salette, please consider donating to OMCV São Vicente (Women's Organization of Cape Verde). Attention Fatima Lima omcv.sv.cv@gmail.com, please email Fatima to make a donation.

Her memory will live on in every song, every laugh, and every moment of togetherness.

Her visiting hours will be held on Saturday, May 9th from 4-7 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Funeral Homes, 495 Park St., New Bedford, MA.