Natalia (Goncalves) Ornelas, age 92, of Raynham, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2023 at Life Care Center of Raynham.
She was the beloved wife of the late Carlos F. Ornelas.
Born in Madeira, Portugal, she was the daughter of the late Jose and Maria (Pontes) Goncalves.
Her greatest joy was not only her immediate family, but all of her family far and near that she just loved beyond words. Her house was the “fun” house where you would find all her kids’ friends. She was known as Mae or Vovo to all her sons’ and daughters’ friends and she welcomed them as if they were her own kids. She was a strong little lady who was loving, caring and funny. She was a jokester. Always trying to make people laugh. Everyone that met her loved her and she loved them back. She loved giving strong hugs and kisses. She would light up when her family surrounded her kitchen table as they all were trying to get a word in. She was always trying to feed you. You never left hungry after being at her house. She was an unselfish person, always putting others first before herself. She radiated love, laughter, and kindness.
She loved to dance especially to the bailinho da Madeira, sing her Portuguese songs to her kids and grandkids and watching her Novelas. Oh, those Novelas - Even if you didn’t want to know about them, she made sure you did and kept you updated on them.
She loved animals and was always surrounded by them, whether it was birds, cats, dogs, fish, etc. She loved her flower gardens. If you didn’t find her in the house, she was planting new flowers in her beautiful, colorful garden. She loved to crotchet, to sew, to knit and loved sitting with her kids and showing them how to do it.
She is survived by her children; Carlos G. Ornelas and wife Rosa, Dores de Freitas, Diva Steiner and husband Herve, Antonio Ornelas and husband Jose Carcamo, Mary Jo DeAndrade, Rita Ornelas, Daniel Ornelas, Helen Taylor and husband Robert, Joe Ornelas, Michael Ornelas, Norman Ornelas and wife Janis, brother; Jose Manuel Gonsalves and wife Connie, 15 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was the mother of the late Emanuel Ornelas and Gorete Ornelas and sister of the late Mary Miller and Fernanda Caires.
Natalia’s funeral with visitation will be held on Friday, February 10, 2023 at 8:30am from the Silva Funeral Home, 80 Broadway (at Mary’s Square) Taunton, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am in Annunciation of the Lord Church, 31 First Street Taunton.
(Additional parking with handicap access is located on the North side of the Funeral Home.)
Interment will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery.
For expressions of sympathy, to sign an online guestbook, or to light a memorial candle, visit www.silvafuneralhome.com.
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