Obituary of Delfina Bettencourt Mendonca

Delfina Bettencourt Mendonca PEABODY—Delfina Bettencourt Mendonca, 70, died unexpectedly on Tuesday evening at the North Shore Medical Center Salem Hospital in Salem following a brief illness. Born in Graciosa, Azores, Portugal on April 29,, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Joao Sousa Bettencourt and Delfina Da Silva. She emigrated to the United States, settling in Peabody where she lived for the last 31 years. Mrs. Mendonca worked as a Packer in the Production Department of Fishery Products of Danvers before her retirement. She was a communicant of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Peabody, was a member of the Holy Ghost Society over 20 years, enjoyed gardening with flowers and vegetables. She is remembered by her family as a very independent, strong-willed woman adapting to life in a new country. She loved nurturing her family, extended family and friends. She is survived by: her children and their spouses, Joe & Diana Mendonca and Emanuel & Rosa Maria Mendonca both of Peabody, John & Laurie Mendonca of Lynn, Maria & Chris Payson of Middleton, and David Mendonca of Peabody; 11 grandchildren, Elza & Brian Silva of No. Andover, Shauna Lynn of Augusta, GA, Jessica Mendonca of Lynn, Janine Mendonca of Phoenix, AZ, Timothy Mendonca of Lynn, Bethany Mendonca of Peabody, Erica Payson, Celina Payson, and Josselyn Payson all of Middleton, Brendin Mendonca and Chantel Mendonca both of Peabody; a great-grandchild, Jayden Blane of Augusta, GA; seven brothers and sisters, Ermulindo Bettencourt, Maria Espenola, and Eugenia Ortins all of Peabody, Jose Bettencourt, Albano Bettencourt, Ondina Lobao, Zulmira Silva, Antero Bettencourt, and Davide Bettencourt all of Canada, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Emily Mendonca, and sister of the late Manuel Bettencourt, Armandina Lobao, Edwina Espenola, Joao Bettencourt, and RaimundoBettencourt. Her funeral will be held on Saturday at 9 AM from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St. location, Peabody, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 AM in Our Lady of Fatima Church, Peabody, to which relatives and friends are kindly invited. A visitation will be held on Friday from 4 to 8 P.M. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem.