Mrs Maria Valentina Rocha

Maria Valentina Areias da Rocha, 81, of Lowell, passed away Monday, June 12, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late Francisco Pacheco da Rocha, with whom he shared the last 60 years. Born February 14, 1942, in Terceira, Azores, Portugal, she was the daughter of the late Jose Ferreira Martins Areias and the late Maria Inacia da Silva. Maria Valentina was raised and started her family in Terceira where she was a homemaker, seamstress and Catechism teacher prior to immigrating to the US on June 21, 1986. Upon arriving in the US she worked for a few years as a nurses aide caring for the elderly, then she became the beloved nanny of many children, who she loved dearly. Maria Valentina was an active member of Saint Anthony’s in Lowell where she was a part of the Cursilho group as well as many other church organizations. She was a devout Catholic and would attend daily masses and pray the Rosary. She loved her family above all and for twenty years brought her daughters, son-in-laws and grandchildren together for Monday night dinners. She instilled in her family the value of faith and love for one another. Maria Valentina is survived by her daughters; Celina Teixeira, and her husband Luis; Lina Faria, and her husband Francisco; Lidia Borges, and her husband Carlos; Susana Menezes, and her husband Luis; Silvia DeMelo, and her husband David. She is also survived by her grandchildren whom she adored, Daniel Faria and his wife Jennifer; Stefan Teixeira, Monique Menezes, Michael Menezes, Devan DeMelo, Siera DeMelo and Dario DeMelo as well as his great-grandchildren Gabriela and Alexander Faria. In addition, she leaves her sisters Fatima Pontes, Ana Valadao, Filomena Parreira and husband Manuel, Maria dos Santos Brasil and husband Antonio, Lucia Borba and husband Manuel, Lina Martins and husband Fernando, Joao Adelino Areias and wife Maria Emilia, Teresa Costa and husband Jorge, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to her husband, parents and in-laws, she was welcomed into heaven by her beloved grandson Júlio Faria and her siblings, Conceicão Pires and José Areias, and her siblings-in-law Fernando Rocha, Olivia Lucas, Eduardo Pontes and Francisco Valadão. On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, all are welcome to attend Maria's calling hours from 9-10:30 AM at Fay McCabe Funeral Home in Lowell, 105 Moore St. Her funeral mass will follow at 11 AM at St. Anthony’s Church , 893 Central Street, Lowell, MA. Procession will follow for burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Tewksbury, MA. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to the St. Anthony’s Church in Lowell in lieu of flowers. Donations cn be made to St. Anthony's Church 893 Central St. Lowell, MA 01852 or www.osvhub.com/st-anthony-s-rectory/giving/funds

Mrs Maria Valentina Rocha

February 14, 1942 - June 12, 2023