Alice Ferro

Alice Caires (Camacho) Ferro, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, May 12, 2014 surrounded by her spouse and children. She was 88 years old. Loving wife of José L. A. Ferro, they were married 66 years. Born and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts, she moved to South Dartmouth when she married. Alice was the first daughter and second child of Amadeu C. and Maria C. (de Freitas Moinheiro) Camacho. Alice found joy in her journey through life and was happy with simplicity. A loving and affectionate spouse, mother and grandmother, she adored her family and devoted her life to them. Alice was a devout Catholic who attended Mass daily and began and ended each day with the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. She had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother, Saint Joseph, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As a member of the Villa Fatima Helpers of the Sisters of Saint Dorothy, she worked timelessly on their behalf. A communicant of O. L. of Mt. Carmel Church, she was also a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and was a Eucharistic Minister. Alice was a leader in fundraising for needy causes and quietly performed many acts of charity. She was also a volunteer at the Market Ministries and was instrumental in beginning a full hot meal program for the poor and homeless. In recognition of her endless efforts in helping to feed the hungry, she was honored as one of the first recipients of the Market Ministries’ Reverend Edward Holleran O. F. M. Volunteer Award. A talented and gifted person, she was also very creative and a perfectionist at everything she attempted. Known for her party planning skills, Alice hosted many uniquely themed celebrations that were always elegant and beautiful. She was also an excellent seamstress and an exceptional cook and baker. In the little free time she had, she loved to read and go to the theater and concerts. Alice was also a member of the Mt. Carmel Seniors. In addition to her devoted husband, José, she is survived by her nine children and nine grandchildren: Rosemary L. Ferro of South Dartmouth; Gerard M. Ferro of Homosassa Springs, FL and his daughter, Sarah R. Ferro of South Dartmouth; Cecilia Olsen and her children, Ashley N. Olsen and Derreck S. Olsen of Mesa, Arizona; Cynthia Simerly and her husband, Dennis W. of Tigard, Oregon and their daughter, Della Alice Simerly of Portland, Oregon; Paula M. Stenger and her husband Gerhard W. and their children, Andrew G. F. Stenger and Olivia C. F. Stenger of West Roxbury; José L. A. Ferro Jr. and his wife, Pamela J. and their children, Marcus D. Ferro and Isaiah J. Ferro of Fairhaven; Jacinto A. Ferro of New Bedford and his daughter, Kristen M. Ferro of South Dartmouth; Maryann Ferro of New Bedford; and Angelica Ferro of South Dartmouth; one sister, Laura Constant of Acushnet and one brother, John Camacho and his wife, Alice of Fairhaven; a sister-in-law, Doris Camacho of Fairhaven; a special godchild, Lisa M. Constant of Acushnet; and many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. She was the mother-in-law of the late Charles R. Olsen and Kenneth H. Thunert Jr., the sister of the late Amadeu Camacho Jr. and Albert C. Camacho,Godmother of the late John A. Camacho and sister-in-law of the late Robert L. Constant. Her funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 9:45 am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 230 Bonney Street, New Bedford, MA. Burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Route 6 GAR Highway, New Bedford, MA. Visiting hours are Friday, May 16, 2014 from 3 to 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Alice to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o Mt. Carmel Church, 238 Bonney Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472 .