Ingelcia M. Simas

SEEKONK - Simas, Ingelcia Maria daCosta of Seekonk, Massachusetts and Ponta Garça, São Miguel, Açores, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025, at the age of 87.

She was the beloved wife of the late Jaime Domingos Simas and devoted mother to Anna Cristofaro (Michael), Jaime J. Simas (Wendy), and Ingelcia Annese (Anthony). Ingelcia was a cherished grandmother (Vavó) to Brittany and Nicole Simas, Isabella and Gabriella Annese, and Daniel Cristofaro.

Ingelcia was predeceased by her parents, Jose daCosta and Maria Guilhermina Vasconcellos, as well as her sister, Lorraine daCosta Furtado.

Ingelcia first came to the United States at the age of 16, where she began working in the costume jewelry industry. She traveled back to Sao Miguel to marry Jaime, her childhood sweetheart. Together, they chose to build their life here in the states. They were married for 64 years.

While Ingelcia's main focus was caring for her family and home, she did work at various jewelry companies throughout the years, eventually retiring once she became a Vavó.

Aside from her family, Ingelcia's main interests included gardening (especially plants and flowers) and reading. As an avid reader, Ingelcia amassed an impressive home library, and Jaime was tasked with building a bookshelf big enough to house her collection.

Following her husband's death, it was important that Ingelcia remained in the home she and Jaime shared for as long as she was able – something that required a true collaborative effort, not just from her children but from a team of wonderful, compassionate carers. Our family extends our deepest thanks to Amy Cristofaro, Kristin Falcone, Tammy Elderkin, and Heather Simas Pavao for the excellent care and support they provided over the years to help us keep mom safe and happy in the home she loved.

Understandably, when Jaime died, Ingelcia's heart was broken, and she longed for the day they would be reunited. Though our hearts are sad that both have left us, we are overjoyed they have found each other once again.

Her funeral, to which relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend, will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, beginning with visitation from 9:30 to 10:15 AM in the REBELLO FUNERAL HOME, 901 Broadway, East Providence. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Francis Xavier Church, 81 N. Carpenter Street in East Providence, at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 550 Wampanoag Trail, Riverside, at which time Ingelcia will be laid to rest beside her beloved Jaime.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the following organizations: Bristol Aging & Wellness, 1 Father DeValles Boulevard, Unit 8, Fall River, MA 02723 and/or Seekonk Firefighters, Local 1931, PO Box 514, Seekonk, MA 02771.