Obituary of Maria dos Anjos Cunha

Maria dos Anjos Cunha, 89 of Peabody, MA died peacefully in her sleep sometime in the early hours of Thursday, March 26 th, at the Beverly home of her daughter where she had been sheltering-in-place due to the Coronavirus pandemic. She was born on May 5 th, 1930 in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil to Maria dos Anjos and António Duarte Roma. She spent her young, formative years in Brazil until the family returned to their ancestral village of Fronhas, São Martinho da Cortiça in Central Portugal. There, Maria grew up, married, and eventually immigrated (in 1961) with her husband (Carlos dos Santos Cunha) and young family to Peabody, MA. She loved family gatherings, festivals, and dancing and would never miss a party. She loved cooking for her family and friends, and was famous for her rice pudding (arroz doce). She was a talented crochet artist who made many beautiful and creative things to donate and gift to others. She loved travel and would depart on new adventures at the least provocation. Her Peabody home was a gathering place for neighbors and friends who dropped by each day for coffee and conversation. Maria had a generous and community-minded spirit and was always ready to help anyone in need without question, even strangers. Her love of cooking and skill in the kitchen made her a beloved volunteer at Ellis Square Friends, a non-profit organization working with the food insecure. She supported the Portuguese for Higher Education, Ellis Square Friends, and other organizations. She was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Clube Luis de Camões, the Holy Ghost Society, and the Luso-American Financial. She is predeceased by her husband, Carlos dos Santos Cunha; a sister, Julia Roma; a great grandchild, Amalia Dos Anjos Pedrosa Thompson; and her parents, Maria dos Anjos and António Duarte Roma. She is survived by her children, Edite Cunha of Montague, MA; Carlos Cunha of Swainsboro, GA (and his wife Rhonda Cunha); Brenda Mattos of Beverly, MA; and Fernando Cunha of Milton, NH (and his wife Ann Marie Cunha); eight grandchildren: Sara and Diana Pedrosa, Cátia Sofia Cunha, Joshua and Trevor Cunha and Ashley Mosca, and Tiago and Emma Mattos; and eight great grandchildren: Jiro, Ilaria and Saber Roma, Maria Inês Pedrosa Thompson, Natalie and Jayden Cunha, and Gavin and Dominic Mosca; a sister Idalina Veludo and brother António Roma, both of Peabody and Fronhas, São Martinho da Cortiça, Portugal; and numerous nieces and nephews. There will be a Drive-up Visitation held on Wednesday, April 8 from 10A.M – 12P.M. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Everyone is asked to enter the parking lot of the funeral home via the entrance on LYNN ST, and then a staff member will direct you accordingly. We ask everyone to REMAIN IN YOUR VEHICLES, in accordance with the social distancing rules described by federal, state, and local officials. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in her name to www.ellissquarefriends.com.