Maria Barreto

On March 1, 2020 this family has lost their matriarch, Maria De Gouveia Barreto passed surrounded by her loving daughter Linda, and her family. Maria was the daughter of Antonio DeGouveia and Miquelina Fernandes Belo. Born in Santa Cruz, Madeira on May 3, 1929, Maria arrived in America on Thanksgiving Day in 1958 during a snow storm. This was the first time Maria saw snow, as Madeira is a tropical island, she was amazed at its beauty. Maria had worked in many manufacturing companies as well as being the family barber. Stories are still being told about their childhood haircuts by Tia. While providing for her family in America, Maria sent for her sisters Laurinda from Madeira, Teresa from Mozambique, Africa and her brother Agostinho from S. Africa, so they too could live the dream of living in America. Maria enjoyed music; it was always around her from her young years in Madeira with her father Antonio, who played the viola and her husband Fernando who played guitar and sang Fado music. Maria’s instrument was the tambourine. Every year when the Madeira feast arrived in August, the siblings enjoyed gathering together to enjoy the delicious food and watch the folklore dancers. Maria and her daughter Linda also enjoyed return to Madeira yearly and looked forward to seeing family and friends. Linda had a special bond with her mother and enjoyed sharing this love for Madeira Island with her. Linda was the light in her mother’s eyes. A devout catholic, Maria embraced her faith and was a communicate of Immaculate Conception Church. Maria is survived by her daughter Linda Barreto, 2 sisters, Laurinda Velosa of New Bedford, Teresa Poeria & husband Domingos of New Bedford, sister-in-law Bernadette DeGouveia of New Bedford, many loving nieces and nephews. Maria is predeceased by her husband Fernando, 6 brothers Manuel, Joao, Jose, Antonio, from Brazil and Martinho, Agostino from New Bedford, 1 sister Celeste from Brazil, 2 nephews Duarte and Joao Velosa from New Bedford.