Mary (Teixeira) Mello

Maria “Mary” (Teixeira) Mello, age 92 of Taunton, passed away on July 7, 2026 at her residence with her loving family by her side.

She was the beloved wife of the late David Medeiros Mello who passed in 2021.

Mary was born in Acqua di alt, Sao Miguel, Azores the daughter of the late Vasco and Maria (DaRosario Amaral) Teixeira

As her only job before retiring in 1987, Mrs. Mello was employed with Taunton Dress as a stitcher. She barely spoke English when she started at the company, then eventually from 1980-89 represented her coworkers as union steward for the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU).

She enjoyed her family and grandchildren foremost, and of course her love of God. She was an extremely talented seamstress, enjoyed knitting, lace crochet, cake decorating, cooking, and loved her flower gardening. She was an avid New England sports fan. She tirelessly spent endless hours involved in her daughters’ schools, and traveling extensively for their dance, music and modeling lessons and competitions for years. Mary was in her glory when she hosted the large family cookouts. “Every day is a gift from God”.

Her endless volunteering efforts throughout the years were numerous to mention them all, but some of the items to recall; member of the Woman’s Guild and Mother’s Clubs; 1968 Member of the Portuguese Folkloric Group of St. Anthony’s Church, taught CCD at St. Anthony’s Parish for over 30 years. She participated in a counseling group for Portuguese immigrants based at the PACC. Mary brought back the tradition of the Domingas at St. Anthony’s Church with approval of the pastor and became a long-time member of the Irmandade de Espirito Santo, eventually transferring to Annunciation of Our Lord Parish. Mary was instrumental as one of the original members of the St. Anthony’s Feast Committee, spearheading the processions and eventually the fundraising dinners. For years she was a Eucharistic Minister and Lector in Portuguese & English, a Pastoral Care volunteer at Morton Hospital, and a Hospice care volunteer for the Greater Taunton area. 

As a member and officer of St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. Anthony’s Church, Mary was instrumental in coordinating efforts for the food pantry at the center, and the food pantry at St. Anthony’s Church, personally handling requests and delivering food to those uncomfortable with coming in person. In 2010 she received the “Top Hat” award for outstanding Vincentian service. In 1980 she received the Marion Medal by Bishop Daniel Cronin. As a member of the Holy Rosary Sodality Mary received the ‘Our Lady of Good Council’ Award by the Fall River Diocesan Council of Catholic Woman in 2009. In 2011 Mary was nominated by then Senator Marc Pacheco to receive the Heritage Day of Portugal medallion at the State House in Boston, ‘for Portuguese individuals who excelled in their lives and who served as role models for the community’. In 2022 she received the Portuguese American Person of the Year by the Prince Henry Society of Taunton Chapter. 

Out of all her volunteering efforts, she was most proud of ministering to the sick and dying, at their bedside as part of the pastoral care program, “to encourage them that the Lord is merciful and he is waiting to welcome them with open arms”. (Anchor, Apr. 23, 2010)

Mary survives with her loving daughters; Teresa Mello and Linda Mello Carmo both of Taunton. Mary was the grandmother of Christopher and Timothy Carmo and the late Jonathan Carmo. Mary was the sister of the late John Vasco Teixeira and (SIL) Maria Teixeira, Mary Veloze and (BIL) Charles Veloze, Adelino Teixeira and surviving (SIL) Maria Gracziella Martins Teixeira.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 9:30am in Annunciation of the Lord Church 31 First Street, Taunton, MA 02780.

Relatives and friends may meet directly at church at 9:15 am.

Interment will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, July 10 th from 4 to 7pm in the Silva Funeral Home 80 Broadway (at Saint Mary’s Square) Taunton.

Additional parking with handicap access is located on the North side of the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts made to Annunciation of Our Lord Parish in Mary’s memory, would be deeply appreciated.

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