Mary Soares

FAIRHAVEN — Mary (Rego Vital) Soares, of Harding Road, Fairhaven, died Friday, December 5, 2008, at home. She was the widow of Antone Soares and the mother Florence Virginia Soares, who preceded her in death.

Known as Mamie to many of her friends, she was born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Joao and Maria (Thomas) Rego Vital. She lived most of her life in New Bedford and Fairhaven, but for several years when she resided with her family in San Diego and Hayward, California.

Before retiring, Mrs. Soares worked as a weaver at the Booth and Langshaw Mills as a winder tender, at the Fisk Tire and Rubber Company, the Acushnet Company, Rubber Division, the New Bedford Rayon Company and the Stylastic Smith Company.

She was a longtime member of the Holy Rosary Sodality of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in New Bedford, a charter member of the Hazelwood Seniors and a member for many years of the Golden Agers Club of St. Mary's Church in Fairhaven where she was a communicant.

Mrs. Soares was an enthusiastic ballroom dancer for most of her life, beginning in her youth and continuing through her marriage and well into her later years. She looked forward to being with friends and dancing to the music of the 1930's and 1940's. With her husband, she traveled throughout Europe and the Azores and made several trips by car and train across the continental United States, vacationed in Hawaii and enjoyed a Caribbean cruise.

In her retirement, she fulfilled a girlhood dream by learning to play the piano and took satisfaction and pleasure in playing some of her favorite songs. An accomplished cook, she enjoyed trying new recipes and culinary techniques. She also loved reading and watching classic movie musicals on television.

She is survived by her son Robert of Fairhaven. Mrs. Soares was the sister of the late Florence (Rego Vital) Medeiros of New Bedford and the late Antone Rego of San Diego, CA.

Her funeral will be Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 9:00 AM from the Fairhaven Funeral Home, 117 Main Street, Fairhaven followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Mary's Church, Fairhaven. Interment will be at St. John Cemetery, New Bedford. Calling hours are Monday from 2-4 PM in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community Nurse and Hospice Care, Inc., 62 Center St., P.O. Box 751, Fairhaven, MA 02719. For LIGHT A CANDLE, MEMORIAL REGISTER OR FACILITY DIRECTIONS go to www.hathawayfunerals.com or call (508)994-9471.