Doris E. Gracia

Doris E. (Mello) Gracia passed away on November 14, 2025, surrounded by her family at her home in Berkley, MA. Doris was born on February 09, 1930, in Somerset, MA. She was the daughter of the late Antone and Mary (Souza-Faria) Mello. She graduated from Somerset High School and lived in Somerset, MA, until she married the love of her life, Richard P. Gracia (deceased), on August 24, 1957. She resided in Berkley, MA, living on the family farm and raising her children.
Doris was a loving mother to six children and to many others. She cherished life and loved her family and community. While raising her children, she ran the family farm, was active within the town of Berkley and the Berkley school system, the Catholic church, and the Catholic parish and community, the Catholic school system, worked on many committees, where five of her children attended, and participated in many events. Doris was honored with the Berkley Citizen of the Year award for her endless devotion to her town, and threw out the first pitch for one of the opening seasons for the Berkley Athletic Association.
Doris was the first female rural carrier in Berkley and the surrounding areas. She enjoyed delivering to all the residents of Berkley, in addition to meeting and welcoming new residents to the town. After retirement, she was active in many town events: the Lights on Celebration, Friends of the Berkley Public Library, Berkley Garden Club, Save Our Bridge, Berkley Cable, hosted the Berkley Beat, Editor of the Berkley Bridge Newspaper, Berkley Lions Club (president and secretary), Member of the Legion of Mary, Member of the Department of Homeland Security United States Coast Guard and received the Auxiliary Membership Service Award for fifteen years of service of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the list was endless.
Doris enjoyed spending time with her family and extended family, whom she loved deeply. She enjoyed having family gatherings, playing games, raising her six children, and watching her eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren grow. Doris was a devoted wife and caregiver to her husband, Richard, till his passing.
Doris leaves behind a legacy and loving family:
Her beloved husband Richard P. Gracia (deceased), of Berkley
Anthony Gracia and his wife, Marykarla, of Connecticut
Paul Gracia and his wife, Kelley, of Berkley
Louis Gracia and his wife, Dawn, of New Jersey
Eileen (Gracia) Keich and her husband, Albert (Buddy), of Berkley
Pauline (Gracia) Johnson (deceased) and her husband, Brian, of East Freetown
Ida Gracia, of Berkley
Doris also leaves behind her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Jason Gracia and son Kai (Berkley), Erin (Gracia) PaLermo, her husband Vinn and daughter Scarlett (Berkley), Louis Gracia and his wife Ashley and their children, Louis 3rd, Logan, Landon, Alianna, Lincoln, and Liam (New Jersey), Paul Gracia Jr. and his children Tanner, Madeline and Christiano (Berkley), Tina Gracia (New Jersey), Zachary Gracia (New Jersey), Nathaniel Keich (Berkley), Ian and Gabrielle Gracia (Connecticut), Emily Gracia (New Jersey), and Connor Johnson (East Freetown).
Doris also leaves behind her brother Richard Mello of Somerset, MA, sister Eileen Benevides of Fall River, MA, several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and a large and loving extended family and close friends. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends but never forgotten. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
Services will be held on November 22, 2025, at St. Bernard Church, 30 South Main Street, Assonet, MA.
Viewing hours will be held at the church from 9:00 am to 11:30 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am.
Burial at Fox Cemetery, 51 Bay View Avenue, Berkley, MA.
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