Obituary for Matilde (Fatal) Lopes
On January 31, 2021 we lost our cherished mother, Vovo, and Tia. Matilde Lopes died peacefully at the age of 94 close to her family in Maine. Matilde was born on January 11, 1927 in Chicopee, Massachusetts. At the age of 5, due to the Depression, her family immigrated back to Sobral da Lagoa, Portugal. Matilde spent her formative years there and later met and married the love of her life Victor. She returned to America in her early twenties and eventually settled in Ludlow, MA for over 60 years. She loved her community, and she would often refer to it as a paradise.
Widowed at the age of 37, she found a strength, resolve and independence that became her foundation for life. She would often say, “My life is a miracle,” and she attributed that to her abiding faith in God. Matilde worked tirelessly to make a life for herself and her family. She was selfless without complaint, and faced each challenge with her determination, strength, and perseverance.
Matilde was a true people person and loved going to social gatherings. A fabulous cook, she often hosted dinner parties at her home for friends and family. Holidays and celebrations weren’t complete without her iconic cherry cake. Family and friends eagerly looked forward to her traditional birthday serenade every year. Matilde loved to keep active, whether that was walking the streets of Ludlow or dancing in her kitchen with her granddaughters. Not only was Matilde classy, but she was quite fashionable. She loved to go on shopping trips and was always on the lookout for the latest styles, especially when it came to shoes and pocketbooks. She touched so many lives. She will always be remembered for her kindness, warm gentle heart, and for giving the best hugs and kisses.
The happiest time of her life was becoming a Vovo and raising her granddaughters, who absolutely adored her. She followed them across the country and back and there was nothing she wouldn’t do to love and support them. Vovo was ever-present in their lives. She rejoiced in their triumphs, comforted them in their setbacks and showed them how to live a life full of love and pride. Vovo referred to them as her riquezas do mundo, but she will always and forevermore be our riqueza do mundo.
Matilde is survived by her daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Anthony Knox; her granddaughters Gabriella and Erika Knox; her sister Maria Gracinda and brother-in-law Francisco Leitao; her beloved niece Kathleen Bernardo and her children James, Victoria, and Veronica; her grand-nephews Christopher and Bryant Leitao as well as countless nieces, nephews, cousins, family members and friends.
Matilde was predeceased by her husband, Victor I. Lopes, her two brothers, Anthony and Avelino Fatal, her godson Manuel Leitao, her nephew James Bernardo, and her best friend Francelina Moreira and husband Fernando Moreria.
Walk Through No Contact Visiting hours for Matilde will be held on Saturday, February 6th from 9:15-10:15am in Ludlow Funeral Home followed by Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00am in Christ the King Church. Burial will be held privately by her family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her honor to “Go Red for Women,” Maine Stroke Association, 51 US Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074.
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Widowed at the age of 37, she found a strength, resolve and independence that became her foundation for life. She would often say, “My life is a miracle,” and she attributed that to her abiding faith in God. Matilde worked tirelessly to make a life for herself and her family. She was selfless without complaint, and faced each challenge with her determination, strength, and perseverance.
Matilde was a true people person and loved going to social gatherings. A fabulous cook, she often hosted dinner parties at her home for friends and family. Holidays and celebrations weren’t complete without her iconic cherry cake. Family and friends eagerly looked forward to her traditional birthday serenade every year. Matilde loved to keep active, whether that was walking the streets of Ludlow or dancing in her kitchen with her granddaughters. Not only was Matilde classy, but she was quite fashionable. She loved to go on shopping trips and was always on the lookout for the latest styles, especially when it came to shoes and pocketbooks. She touched so many lives. She will always be remembered for her kindness, warm gentle heart, and for giving the best hugs and kisses.
The happiest time of her life was becoming a Vovo and raising her granddaughters, who absolutely adored her. She followed them across the country and back and there was nothing she wouldn’t do to love and support them. Vovo was ever-present in their lives. She rejoiced in their triumphs, comforted them in their setbacks and showed them how to live a life full of love and pride. Vovo referred to them as her riquezas do mundo, but she will always and forevermore be our riqueza do mundo.
Matilde is survived by her daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Anthony Knox; her granddaughters Gabriella and Erika Knox; her sister Maria Gracinda and brother-in-law Francisco Leitao; her beloved niece Kathleen Bernardo and her children James, Victoria, and Veronica; her grand-nephews Christopher and Bryant Leitao as well as countless nieces, nephews, cousins, family members and friends.
Matilde was predeceased by her husband, Victor I. Lopes, her two brothers, Anthony and Avelino Fatal, her godson Manuel Leitao, her nephew James Bernardo, and her best friend Francelina Moreira and husband Fernando Moreria.
Walk Through No Contact Visiting hours for Matilde will be held on Saturday, February 6th from 9:15-10:15am in Ludlow Funeral Home followed by Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00am in Christ the King Church. Burial will be held privately by her family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her honor to “Go Red for Women,” Maine Stroke Association, 51 US Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074.
To plant a tree in memory of Matilde (Fatal) Lopes, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
6
Feb
9:15 AM
- 10:15 AM
Ludlow Funeral Home
432 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Funeral Liturgy
Saturday
6
Feb
11:00 AM
Ludlow Funeral Home
432 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Cemetery Details
Location
At the Convenience of the Family
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