Aurelia Gomes Afonso, 97, of Ludlow, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2025, at Baystate Medical Center, surrounded by the love of her devoted family. Born in the village of Covas de Barroso, Boticas, Portugal, she was the cherished daughter of the late Antonio Joaquim Gomes and Maria Goncalves. Aurelia lived a life rooted in hard work, faith, and deep love for her family. In Portugal, she worked as a dedicated farmer, tending to her land with resilience and grace. In 1984, she immigrated to the United States to join her family and build a new life in Ludlow. She spent many years working in plastic manufacturing at SPI before her well-earned retirement. Aurelia was a faithful communicant of Our Lady of Fatima Church and a woman whose strength, humility, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew her. Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved her. She was the beloved wife of the late Abel Afonso Boacas and the deeply loved mother of Maria Emilia Gomes and her husband Arlindo Gomes; Maria Amalia Martins and her husband Joaquim Campos Martins; Anna Paula Goncalves; and Antonio Abel Boacas and his wife Gilsa Costa, all of Ludlow. Aurelia was a proud and devoted grandmother to Pedro Gomes, Robert Gomes, Michelle and David Porter, Tiago Andre Boacas Martins, Tanya and Gennaro Santaniello, Jennifer Goncalves and life partner Telmo Santos and Michael Goncalves. Her legacy continues through her cherished great-grandchildren: Michael and Christian Gomes, Lilliana and Andre Santos, Sophia and Luciano Santaniello, and Layla, McKenzie, and Mason Porter. She was a dear sister to the late José Maria Gomes, Albina Gomes, and Dores Gomes Pires, all of Covas de Barroso, Portugal. Her heart remained forever connected to her homeland, even as she embraced her new life in America. Aurelia leaves behind many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and lifelong friends both in the United States and Portugal, all of whom were touched by her loving spirit. Funeral services for Aurelia will be held on Monday, June 23, 2025, from Ludlow Funeral Home. Visitation at the Funeral Home is Monday morning from 9:00-10:15am with a Liturgy of Christian Mass celebrated at 11:00am in Our Lady of Fatima Church, followed by burial in Island Pond Cemetery.
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Previous Events
Visitation
23
Jun
432 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Funeral Liturgy
23
Jun
438 Winsor Street
Ludlow, MA 01056
Cemetery Details
Location
499 Center Street
Ludlow, Ma 01056
