Dulcinia Figueiredo

Dulcinia Robalo Figueiredo, 80, of South Dartmouth, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 3, 2013. She was the widow of the late José Augusto Figueiredo.

Born in Marmeleiro, Portugal, the daughter of the late Francisco and Anna Robalo, she was raised in Portugal and immigrated to New Bedford in 1967. While in Portugal, she was a school teacher and owned a café with her husband in Linhares da Beira. Upon coming to New Bedford, she was employed as a stitcher for Cliftex Manufacturing until her retirement.

Dulcinia was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in New Bedford. She was a devout Catholic and prayed the rosary daily; if she knew you, chances are, she prayed for you. Her passion was her family. Having lived with her loving daughter, Elizabeth, and her son-in law, Manuel Louro, for over 25 years was a blessing for all involved. She was an adamant home maker; “cleanaholic,” expert cook, embroiderer, seamstress, landscaper, and much more. Her appearance never aged because she lived such a happy life surrounded by those who loved her most. She also had a great sense of worth, due to her good health, and desire to work; this allowed her to feel as though her contributions still had value.

Her companion was the family Shih-Tzu, Bella, whom she spoke Portuguese with daily. Her pride and joy was her granddaughter, Marissa Louro, whom she helped raise. Marissa is who she is today, due to the love, care, and guidance that she has received from “Vó China” and “Vô José.”

Survivors include: her daughter, Elizabeth Figueiredo Louro, and her husband, Manuel, and her granddaughter, Marissa Louro; her sister, Asensao Saraiva, and her husband, Armenio, of Cumberland, RI; her sister, Irene Jesus Robalo Varandas, and her husband, Eurico, of Rapoula Da Coa, Portugal; and her deceased brother, Jose Santos Correia, and his late wife, Otilia, of Almeida, Portugal. Also, her in-laws, Jacinto Coelho and his wife, Emilia, of New Bedford, MA; Arnaldo Valente and his wife, DosAnjos of Portugal; also many nieces and nephews.

Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 9:30AM at St. Mary’s Church, 106 Illinois St., New Bedford, MA. Burial will follow at St. John’s cemetery. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 4PM-8PM.