Maria L. Sodre

Maria L. Sodre
of Lowell; 76

LOWELL -- Maria L. (Melo) Sodre, 76, of Lowell, passed away Monday, February 15, 2016, at Lowell General Hospital with her loving family at her side. She was the widow of the late Jose Sodre who died in 1998, and the widow of the late Francisco Mendonca Bellero who passed away in 1968.

A daughter of the late Jose Espinola Melo and the late Amelia (Augusta) Melo, she was born August 18, 1939, in Graciosa, Azores, Portugal, and was raised and educated in that area. In the early 1970's, she came to the United States settling in Lowell where she made her home until her death. She was a communicant of St. Anthony's Church.

She worked for the local shoe factories when she first came to the United States, but prior to her retirement in 2002, had worked as an assembly technician for Qualtronics Inc.

She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them, especially her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed cooking and crocheting.

She is survived by her daughter, Maria Faria and her husband, Delio, of Lowell; her son, Manny Sodre of Lowell; her grandson, Daniel Faria of Lowell; her granddaughter, Brenda Faria of Lowell; three great-grandchildren; and many brothers and sisters in Graciosa as well as a sister in Canada and many nieces and nephews throughout Graciosa and Canada.

She was also a sister of the late Manuel Melo who passed away in Graciosa.

SODRE -- YOU ARE INVITED TO HER CALLING HOURS FROM 10 A.M. UNTIL 12 NOON ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. HER FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT 12 NOON AT THE FUNERAL HOME. BURIAL IN ST. MARY CEMETERY. E-CONDOLENCE SITE WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM.