Alice (Souza) Oliveira

Alice (Souza) Oliveira passed away in peace and comfort, Monday, January 24, 2011. A true matriarch, she led our family with a caring and supportive hand through the years. Mrs. Oliveira spent the last years of her life in Westport, with her son and daughter in-law Joan, but hailed from Rockland St. in Fall River. She also spent many years, along with her two children, in the home she and her husband built on Pennsylvania Ave. in Somerset. She was the daughter of the late Georgina (Cabral) and Manuel Souza and the sister to the late Mary Santos, Manuel, Joseph, Josephine, Angelo, Dennis, Albert, and Raymond Souza. Through her older brother she met and later married her late husband Antone (Tony) Oliveira, Jr., to which she was lovingly devoted to for almost 50 years. She raised her two children Donna Marie (Oliveira) Cabral of Fall River and Antone Oliveira III of Westport, while working as a sewing machine operator at Samesta Jr. Mfg. on Hartwell Street. She was an honorary life member of the ILGWU, now UNITE. Her home was always open to family and friends and she was the hostess to many family gatherings through the years. Upon retiring from Samesta, she spent her time crocheting afghan blankets for her family and friends, playing bingo and babysitting her grandchildren. When her beloved husband Tony passed away unexpectedly in 1987, she began attending the East Main Senior Center at the coaxing of her family. After a short time, it was easy to see that what had started out as something to help her had turned into to her helping others. She went on to co-manage both the East Main, Maplewood and North End senior centers. She facilitated many center events and was a gentle, kind friend to all whom attended. Upon leaving her work at the centers, she could be found helping out her granddaughter at Swede's Cafe where patrons could look forward to sharing a cup of coffee or easy banter with Alice. She worked until she was 81 years old and even after that found it hard to sit still. In later years, she found enjoyment with playing slot machines, doing word searches to keep her mind sharp, and playing poker. One of her greatest joys, however, came with spending time with both her grandchildren and great grandchildren. A doting grandmother, she will forever be held dear by her four grandchildren Jessica Cabral (Jason Banville), Jaime Cabral, Ann Marie St.Laurent (David) and Katie Plourde (Jason). Her five great grandchildren were fortunate to have had her share in their young lives: Julia Travassos, Antoinette and Cora St.Laurent, and Jack and Jeorgia Banville. Along with her two children, she leaves behind her brother Arthur Souza of Tiverton, and Catherine Callery of Lees Summit, MO whom she considered a daughter. She will be sadly missed by many members of her large extended family including her godchildren, her many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Private funeral arrangements entrusted to Auclair Funeral Home. Visitation and flowers omitted. Donations may be made to Southcoast Hospice, 200 Mill Rd., Fairhaven, MA 02719 or Alzheimer's Assn., 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472. The family would like to extend many thanks and deepest gratitude to not only Southcoast Hospice, but to Dr. Nicole McDonald for her many years of continued care and service to Alice. Family and friends are encouraged to visit the online guest book at AuclairFuneralHome.com