Marie Burgo Smith, 94, of New Bedford, passed away peacefully at Sacred Heart Nursing Home on April 27, 2026. She was born, raised, lived, loved, danced, and laughed in New Bedford for nearly all 94 years of her life.

She was the loving wife of the late Dempsey L Smith, Sr.

She was born in New Bedford to the late Leopoldo M. and Rose J. (Rodrigues) Burgo.
Marie is survived by her only son Kenneth J. Burgo Sr., his wife Sandra, and Ryan Filkins, her great-nephew who she raised as her son. Marie and Dempsey raised Ryan from infancy and were completely devoted to him.

She leaves behind to love and miss her joy her grandchildren, Tanya Ferrera and her husband Peter, Kenneth Burgo and his wife Aubrey, and Daniel Burgo and his wife Natalie; and 9 great-grandchildren Mia, Ashlee, Daniel, Sean, Val, Max, Kellen, Kehliana, & Isabella. Miraculously, she also has 5 great-great-grandchildren Remi, Stella, Ellie, Stefan, and Theodore.

She is also survived by 3 Godchildren, Carl Silva, Kelly Burgo, and Rachel Sanchez, and a loving great-niece, Michelle Burgo Harold, who was unwaveringly devoted to her care. Michelle gave of herself sacrificially, and also made sure her Aunt had a full social calendar, to include time to go dancing, something Marie absolutely loved. They made great memories together, and Michelle's devotion brought the family such peace.

She was preceded in death by all of her siblings; brothers Leopoldo, Arthur, Alfred, John, Joseph, Manuel, Beldwin Burgo, and sisters Kilda Filkins, Isabella Duarte, Laura Silva, and Anna Silva.

Being one of 12 children, she also has a great many nieces and nephews, all of whom she adored, as well as sisters-in-law, Elizabeth "Betty" Burgo and Patricia Burgo.

Dempsey and Marie were foster parents for many years.

In her later years, Marie attended and volunteered at the Salvation Army.

She enjoyed attending the Dartmouth COA. Her mischievous, youthful energy kept the staff on their toes!

Despite her tiny, 4'11" stature, Marie had a larger-than-life personality and loved dancing to her favorite music. She was the life of the party. She will be remembered for her joy, her limitless energy, her loving nature, and her love of family, as well as how proud she was that her birthday was on Flag Day. She made sure everyone knew! Her granddaughter and nieces laugh to this day about how impossibly soft and beautiful her skin was, thanks to her cocoa butter and $1.97 Jergens lotion!

Her family would like to thank the staff at Sacred Heart Nursing Home as well as Southcoast Hospice for the compassionate, loving care she received.

All arrangements to celebrate her life will be private among her large family at a later date. Anyone wishing to honor her life and memory may donate to causes and support services that mattered to her: The Salvation Army, The Kennedy-Donavan Center, or the American Foundation for the Blind.