Donna J. (Saunders) Arruda

Donna J. (Saunders) Arruda, 86, of Fall River, passed away on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at Charlton Memorial Hospital.  Born in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, she was the  beloved wife of  Richard J. "Rick" Arruda.

Donna worked as a nurse's aide at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MA and also Newport Hospital in Newport R.I. for many years. She loved to go dancing and listen to music.  Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends.

Besides her husband of 65 years, she is survived by her children, Richard J. Arruda  Jr., Michael J. Arruda (and his companion Linda Fowler), Joye M. Ainsworth (and her husband Michael W.), nine grandchildren Brittanie & Bethanie Arruda, Stacey Malenfont, Mykel Swenson, Michael W. Ainsworth, Jr., Richard J. Arruda III, Ryan Arruda, Tyler Arruda and Danielle Berube; 19 Great-grandchildren. She was the Mother of the late Kevin W. Arruda, the sister of the late Ruth Kaye and Shirley Young and the daughter of the late Theodore Saunders and Frances (Ferguson) Wiley.

Relatives and friends are invited to her committal service at Notre Dame Cemetery, 1540 Stafford Rd. Fall River on Friday, October 15, 2021, 10:30 A.M. graveside at Section 32b,  followed by a celebration of life at Whites Restaurant, 66 State Road, Westport. Please RSVP to daughter Joye, by texting or calling 508.730.9511.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Auclair Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.