Maria Graca

Maria (Vieira) Graca, 84, of New Bedford passed away peacefully in the arms of her loving daughter Sonia on Saturday, December 5, 2020 in St. Luke’s Hospital. She was the wife of the late Manuel Graca.

Born in São Miguel Azores, the daughter of the late António and Roselina Vieira, she spent her early years there before coming to America in 1979 after the passing of her dear husband. Mrs. Graca was anointed and a communicant of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church.

Maria was a woman of great conviction. Her faith, daily prayer and belief in miracles were all important to the fabric of her being. She was an especially kind, giving and selfless person who always put the wants and needs of others before her own.

As the matriarch, her greatest passion in life was her family. She was a hero to all and always there for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who all brought her tremendous joy.

In her later years, Maria loved spending time with her family in Portugal and living seasonally in Florida with her daughter Sonia.

She is survived by her children, Sonia Dolinsky and her husband Jeffrey of Florida, Antonio Graca and his wife Leonor of New Bedford, Liberato Graca and his wife Cristina of Portugal, Merita Raposa and her husband Silveiro of Canada, Filomena Graca Medeiros and her former husband Silvino Medeiros of Maryland, her sister Maria Gilda Vieira of Canada, her sister-in-law Conceiao Vieira, her late brother Liberato Vieira and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was the loving mother of the late Benilde “Grace” Rodrigues and the loving grandmother of the late Derrick “Preppy” Medeiros.

Her Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30am at Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, 136 Earle St. New Bedford, followed by burial in St. John’s Cemetery, 664 Allen St., New Bedford. For on-line tributes please visit our website at: www.rock-funeralhome.com