Maria Cristina Melo

Maria Cristina (Cabral) Melo, 91, of New Bedford passed away suddenly on Sunday September 13, 2026 while visiting her son on the island of Terceira, Açores. She was the wife of the late Elmo deSimas Machado e Melo, who passed away in 2016.

Born on the island of Sao Miguel, Açores, she was the daughter of the late Manuel Cabral and Herminia doRego. She and her husband and six children immigrated to New Bedford in November 1968.

Maria was formerly employed as a stitcher for more than 20 years at Slendertone Manufacturing and Elco Dress Company. She also had worked as a cook for the New Bedford School Department for over 20 years, retiring at the age of 82.

Maria loved music and singing and telling jokes. She was a strong-willed individual who was the glue that kept her family together. A very social person, she loved making friends wherever she went.

One of her proudest achievements was becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen during our country’s Bicentennial. She was among a small group who was invited to take her oath and be sworn in as a citizen at Battleship Cove in Fall River in July 1976. She was proud to have attended night school to learn English to accomplish this task.

She is survived by her children, Jose M. Simas of Terceira, Cristina Jorge (John) and Paula Aiello (Chriss), all of Dartmouth, Lidia Deppermann (Stephen) of Clearwater, Florida, and Elmo Melo, Anne Melo and Michelle Melo, all of New Bedford; her brother, Albano Pereira of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 14 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Maria F. Messier in April 2026, and her siblings, Lidia Sousa and Jose Pereira..

At her request, Maria will be cremated in her cremated remains will be scattered on her birthplace of Sao Miguel. A local celebration of life gathering will be scheduled at a later date.