Maria-Lurdes (Puim) Chaves

Maria-Lurdes (Puim) Chaves, age 89 of Taunton, passed away on September 6, 2020 at her residence with her loving family by her side. She was the beloved wife of the late Luis Agostinho Chaves.  Maria was born in Santa Maria, Azores the daughter of the late Manuel deFontes Puim and the late Maria Jose Moura Puim where she was raised and married before immigrating to the United States in 1956. Before retiring, Mrs. Chaves was employed as a professional seamstress with the International Garment Workers Union.  Maria was also a personal caregiver for many elderly women in the area. Maria was very proud to be born on February 11th which is the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes. Throughout her life she remained devout to her Catholic faith and was a longtime member of Saint Anthonys Parish in Taunton. Maria enjoyed baking and cooking for her family and was well known for her Portuguese “biscoitos” which she would happily distribute among relatives and friends. Other hobbies included knitting, crocheting, creating beautiful patch quilts from discarded clothes no longer useful.  She also enjoyed gardening and tending her house plants.  You could always find her reading from her prayer books with rosary beads in hand and watching EWTN. Maria was a sweet, loving, caring, selfless, kind wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother who was devoted to her family. She leaves a great void in the hearts of many nieces and nephews, friends and relatives and all those who were blessed to have known her. She was a treasure and will be greatly missed…Mae Abencoe Maria is survived by her loving children; Jose Gilberto Chaves, Vivian with her husband Joao Spinola Nunes of Taunton and Annmarie C. Paulding of Wareham.  She is the grandmother of Derek Chaves, his wife Kelley, Shawn Nunes, Selena Nunes Fraga, her husband Michael, Joseph Nunes, Jesse Nunes, Lindsey Chaves, Emily O’Brien her husband Christopher and John Joseph Paulding. Great-grandmother of Ralston, Bentley, Isabelle, Cole, Travis, Eben and Ada. Maria is also the sister of Emilia Puim Moura of Santa Maria, Azores. Maria  was predeceased by her (9) brothers, Jose, Antonio, Manuel, Alfredo, Angelo, Victorino, Joao, Antonino and Bernardino Puim, She was the beloved mother of the late Louis David Chaves and the grandmother of the late Brittany Chaves, also the mother-in-law of the late Maria Celeste Chaves. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 9 am in St. Anthony Church - School Street, Taunton. (Relatives and friends may meet directly at church.  Facial coverings and social distancing will be required. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts made to Compassionate Care Hospice 100 Myles Standish Blvd Suite 103, Taunton, MA 02780 in Maria’s memory would be deeply appreciated. Arrangements are with the Silva Funeral Home of Taunton. For expression of sympathy, to sign an online  guestbook or to light a memorial candle, visit www.silvafuneralhome.com