Leonor (Simoes) Cabral, 52, of Dartmouth, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She was the beloved wife of Renato Cabral, with whom she shared 25 years of marriage.
Born in New Bedford, she was the daughter of Vera (Medeiros) Simoes and the late Alfredo Simoes.
Leonor was a graduate of Dartmouth High School and worked at Pediatric Associates of New Bedford for 14 years. She married the love of her life and raised two beautiful children. Leonor enjoyed baking, gardening, essential oils, and being in her happy places. Those places are the mountains of New Hampshire where she loved skiing with her family and the ocean where she simply loved the sights and sounds of the sea. Spending time with her family and friends was very important, especially with her dog, Ollie. She always put the needs of others before her own. No matter how her day was going, her bubbly self and her infectious smile would light up any room. She touched many hearts, and will be deeply missed.
In addition to her husband, Renato, she is survived by her loving children, Giada and Owen Cabral of Dartmouth; a sister, Ann Marie Raposo and her husband Carlos of Dartmouth; two brothers, David Simoes and his wife Shannon of Dartmouth, and Christopher Simoes and his wife Leslie of Dartmouth, and many nieces and nephews.
Her Funeral will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024 at 9:00AM from the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME AT DARTMOUTH, followed by her Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM in St. Mary’s Church, 795 Dartmouth St., Dartmouth. Burial in River-Side Cemetery, 274 Main St., Fairhaven. Her Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 29, 2024 from 5:30PM – 8:30PM in the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME AT DARTMOUTH, 230 Russells Mills Rd., Dartmouth, MA 02748. For on-line tributes, please visit our website at www.waring-sullivan.com Flowers are welcomed, or you may make a donation in her memory to St. Mary’s Church, 795 Dartmouth St. Dartmouth, MA 02748.
The Eulogy of Leonor Cabral:
Thank you everyone for coming. My children and I are honored.
So, I know that for many of you, this came as a sudden surprise. It is not easy to broadcast to your extended family, friends, or social network, that you have terminal cancer. Leonor was a very private person. She would say, "people have enough going on in their own lives, they don't need to worry about me." That was just like her, suffering in silence, but so willing to help others with their problems.
So, I want to take you on a journey that started thirty-one years ago. I was sitting in this very church. You see, I was invited to be in my friend Carols' wedding, I was here for the wedding rehearsal. I remember scanning the room and looking at all the people I had never met before. The priest said, "Are we ready to start?" and Ann said, "no, my sister and parents aren't here yet". That's when Leonor came through the door. I still remember what she was wearing. She had a smile that seemed to fill the room. Her dimples had me at first sight.
We dated for six years while we were both in school. We only saw each other on the weekends and during special occasions. We went on to marry on June 5th of 1999. Six years after that, we were blessed with our first child, a baby girl name Giada. Three years after that, we were blessed again with the birth of our son, Owen. What more could we ask for. Our dreams were fulfilled, our family was complete.
Our children were Leonor's entire world. When they were born, it became evident what Leonor was put on this earth to do, it was to be a mother. She was an amazing mom and wife. There was never a time that I had to worry about my children being fed, clean or well dressed. She always had everything under control. From the house, the bills and everything else. She always found time for me as well. She was an amazing woman who could do all this and still find time to do thing for others. She was always doing someone's hair or make-up for one event or another. She would often rush to take care of herself last after she had spent hours preparing everyone else.
Life was good, we were happy. We built a home together where we were raising our children. We had all that we needed and more. We often traveled and experienced amazing things together as a family. Our children grew up and are now young adults. It's the fall of 2023 and Giada was enter her freshman year in college and Owen is heading into his sophomore year in high school. Life was changing, one of our children was no longer at home with us and it was bittersweet.
When October rolled around is when things really began to change for us. Leonor's voice became hoarse. We thought it may be a cold, but it wasn't going away. A series of doctor's appointments and tests revealed at the end of November that Leonor had thyroid cancer that had spread to her liver. Genetic testing further confirmed that it was Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. This was an extremely rare and aggressive cancer.
You see, Leonor's cancer without surgery carried an average life expectancy of five to six months. I'm proud to say that my girl was a fighter, she made until August 7th at six PM. That is when she took her last breath, in my arms, surrounded by the people she loved. I'm so grateful for having been able to see each of them express their love for her before she passed.
So, as I remember my wife, my best friend, my rock, I want to leave you all with this. Life is short. Live for today. Despite life's challenges, you can face them with dignity and grace. Be brave and move ahead. Don't fear what's in the front of you but face it head on. That's what Leonor did. She moved forward with a positive attitude and with her faith in God. She faced all her challenges with unbelievable strength and courage. I hope you all are as inspired by her as much as I am.
Please don't leave here feeling like you have lost a friend or a loved one. Instead walk out of here today feeling like you have just gained a friend in Heaven. Leonor is now looking out for you.
Fly high my beautiful Leonor, may you rest in peace.
DONS
St. Mary's Church795 Dartmouth St., Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02748
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