Alice Elaine Souza

Alice Elaine (Perry) Souza, age 95, of Dighton, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2025, at her daughter’s home in North Dighton, surrounded by her loving family. 

She was the beloved wife of the late George Souza.

Born and raised in Dighton, she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Mary (Mello) Perry. 

A proud graduate of Dighton High School, Class of 1948, Alice was a lifelong and devoted member of Saint Nicholas of Myra Church, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, participated in the prayer shawl ministry, and was honored with the Marian Medal for her dedication and faith.

Alice served the Town of Dighton for an extraordinary 53 years. She began her career in 1969 as a teacher’s aide and became the Director of the Council on Aging in 1979, a position she held until her retirement in 2022. In 1994, she founded Prime Time, an adult day care program that went on to serve as a model throughout Massachusetts.

A passionate community advocate, Alice served as a commissioner on the Dighton Housing Authority and was active in numerous town committees, including the Board of Health’s handicapped and disaster preparedness committees, and the parish nurse committee for the former St. Joseph’s and St. Peter’s Churches. She also helped coordinate Dighton’s SHARE (SERVE) program and represented the town on the GATRA Advisory Board.

Alice loved lighthouses, beach days, and working with her hands—especially knitting, sewing, and crocheting.

She leaves behind her loving children: Karen Gazza of Middleboro, Cheryl Wick of North Dighton, Kevin J. Souza and Eric J. Souza, both of Dighton. She was the cherished grandmother of 8, great-grandmother of 14, and great-great-grandmother of 1. She was predeceased by her sons, Brian P. Souza and Carl G. Souza, and her siblings, Eugene Perry Jr., Mary Gloria Perry, John Perry, Evangeline Fredette, and Deolinda Silvia.

Funeral Services for Alice will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 8:00 AM from the Silva Funeral Home, 80 Broadway (at Saint Mary’s Square), Taunton, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 AM at Saint Nicholas of Myra Church, Spring Street, North Dighton.

Interment will follow at Saint Patrick Cemetery, Somerset.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, July 2nd, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Silva Funeral Home. Additional parking and handicap access are available on the north side of the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Alice’s memory may be made to Dighton Prime Time and/or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital—both causes close to her heart.

For online condolences, to light a memorial candle, or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.silvafuneralhome.com.