Maria DaFonte) Martins, 83, of Ludlow, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2024 with her loving family by her side. Born in Vila Real Portugal, she was one of 14 children born to the late Pedro and Angelina (Guedes) DaFonte. Maria immigrated to the United States in 1967 and settled in Ludlow where she was a faithful and devoted communicant of Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Once in the U.S, she immediately began working at Spaulding Co. where she was proudly employed for 31 years before retiring in 1998. Maria’s many passions included shopping, cooking, eating, especially desserts, and she loved to travel; but her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family. Maria was a loving and devoted wife of 64 years to the love of her life Hilario Martins; a loving mother to Victor Martins and wife Kelly, of Springfield and Isabel Malley and husband Stephen, of Ludlow; a proud grandmother to Victor Martins (Kate), Felicia Barr (Jake), Derek Goncalves (Jillian Veautour), Nicole Pelkey (Derek), and Kyle Martins; an adoring great-grandmother to Giselle, Andrew, Mason, Olivia, Ellie, Amelia, Angelo, Violet, and Gia; and also leaves many loving family members and dear friends in the U.S., Europe, and South America. Funeral services for Maria will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Visitation is from 8:30-10:15am at Ludlow Funeral Home with Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00am in Our Lady of Fatima Church followed by burial in Island Pond Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maria’s memory to the Michael J. Dias Foundation (mdiasfoundation.org)
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Previous Events
Visitation
13
Apr
432 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Funeral Liturgy
13
Apr
438 Winsor Street
Ludlow, MA 01056
Cemetery Details
Location
499 Center Street
Ludlow, Ma 01056
