Maria Fatima (da Rosa) Pereira

Born on January 3, 1936, in Cedros on the island of Faial in the Azores, Portugal, Maria was the daughter of the late Maria Amelia Pinheiro and Manuel Correia da Rosa. She was the beloved wife of the late José R. Pereira, who passed away on May 23, 1998.

Maria immigrated to the United States from Cedros, Faial, Azores, in 1973 with her husband, José, and nine of their children, settling in Taunton, Massachusetts. Their youngest child, Paul, was later born in Fall River, Massachusetts, completing their family of ten children. Maria was the strong and loving matriarch of a large and close-knit family. Her life centered around caring for the people she loved, and her devotion to her family extended well beyond raising her own ten children. She played an important role in raising her grandchildren, caring for them and loving them as if they were her own. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the center of her life, and nothing brought her greater happiness than having her family around her.

Much of Maria's love was expressed through the simple things she did for her family every day. She loved being in the kitchen preparing traditional Portuguese meals and was especially known for making pancakes for her boys. Raising such a large and active family also meant washing what seemed like an endless supply of soccer socks—a small but lasting memory of the countless ways she cared for her children.

Maria was also a talented crocheter who spent many hours creating beautiful blankets and tablecloths. She especially loved making blankets for her grandchildren, handmade gifts that will continue to be treasured as reminders of their grandmother and the love she put into everything she made.

There was often a fresh cake on Maria's table and family nearby to enjoy it. Her home was a place where her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren knew they were always welcome, loved, and cared for. Above all, Maria was happiest when surrounded by her family.

Maria was the loving mother of ten children: José Antonio Pereira and his wife, Irene, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island; Estela Escobar and her husband, Antonio, of Seekonk, Massachusetts; Connie Tavares and her husband, Joseph, of Riverside, Rhode Island; Luis Pereira and his wife, Manuela, of Fairhaven, Massachusetts; Paul Pereira and his wife, Sabrina, of Montrose, New York; and Odilia Caetano and her husband, Mario; Rodrigo Pereira and his wife, Priscilla; George Pereira and his wife, Laurie; Victor Pereira and his wife, Leah; and Susana Asci and her husband, Joseph, all of Taunton, Massachusetts.

She was the cherished grandmother of 21 grandchildren, including her late grandson, Kyle Caetano, and the proud great-grandmother of 18 great-grandchildren. Maria is also survived by her beloved sister, Maria Eduardina Da Rosa, as well as the many members of her extended family whose lives she touched throughout her 90 years.

Maria leaves behind a remarkable legacy—not simply in the size of the family she created, but in the generations she helped raise and the traditions she passed down. Her family will remember the Portuguese meals, the pancakes, the fresh cakes, the handmade blankets, the countless loads of soccer socks, and a home that was always filled with family.

Most of all, they will remember a mother and grandmother who spent her life taking care of the people she loved.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, September 21, 2026 at 9am in Saint Anthony Church 126 School St, Taunton. Relatives and friends may meet directly at church at 8:45am and park in the rear parking lot of the church.

Interment will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery.

Arrangements are with the Silva Funeral Home of Taunton.

For expressions of sympathy, to sign an online guestbook, plant a tree in her memory or to light a memorial candle, visit www.silvafuneralhome.com