Rita (Silva) Mendonca, 77, of New Bedford died March 9, 2022 after a brief illness and home surrounded by her family.
Born in Sao Tome and Principe, daughter of the late Maria J. Silva, she lived in Sao Tomé and Principe and Portugal before coming to live in New Bedford in 2018.
She enjoyed taking care of her family, dancing and cleaning.
Survivors include her 8 children, Maria Isabel Rosario Neves of Cape Verde, Osvaldo Silva, Jose Mendonca, Nuno Mendonca and Carlos Mendonca, all of Portugal, Carlos Manuel Mendonca and Eduardo Mendonca, both of the United Kingdom and Ana Rita Andrade of new Bedford; a brother, Mario Silva of Portugal; her 4 grandchildren who were her caregivers, Claudia Silva, Vanda Silva, Vanessa Silva and Telma Silva; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She was the mother of the late Antonio Silva.
Her Funeral will be held on Thursday, March 17th at 8 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 9 AM. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, March 16th from 4-8 PM.