An obituary was published for Maria A. Araujo, 80 of Attleboro.

Maria A. Araujo, 80

ATTLEBORO - Maria A. Araujo, 80, of Lamb Street, Attleboro, a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Joao P. Araujo, who passed on Christmas Day 1996.

Born Maria A. Da Ponte in Candelaria, St. Michael, Azores on Feb. 11, 1929, Maria was a daughter of the late Jose and Maria (Dos'Anjos) Da Ponte. Maria along with her late husband Joao and their family settled in Attleboro in 1970.

Maria was employed for 10 years at the former L.G. Balfour Company in Attleboro until retiring in 1980. A woman of great faith, Maria was a devoted communicant of Holy Ghost Church in Attleboro and enjoyed baking sweet bread and crocheting crowns for the church and festivals. Maria annually devoted herself to the Holy Ghost Spirit and Festival at Kennedy Park in Fall River.

She enjoyed crocheting, crafts, cooking, taking cruises to Caribbean islands and traveling home to the Azores. Family was the heart of Maria's life. Her greatest joy was family gatherings with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Maria is survived by four sons: Manuel P. Araujo and his wife Lucilia of Attleboro, John M. Araujo and his wife Eulalia of North Attleboro, Albert P. Araujo and his wife Natalia, and Joe M. Araujo and his wife Maria DeLurdes, all of Attleboro; a daughter, Lucia M. Santos and her husband Carlos Santos of Attleboro; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Maria was predeceased by her siblings: Dioato Da Ponte, Dinis Da Ponte and Dilia Da Ponte.

Family and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours on Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, 20 Peck St., Attleboro.

A funeral will be conducted on Wednesday at 9 a.m. from the Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Holy Ghost Church, 71 Linden St., Attleboro, celebrated by the Rev. Thomas Frechette, pastor of St. Mark's Church, Attleboro Falls. Maria will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Joao, in St. John's Cemetery, West Street, Attleboro.

An online guest book for remembrances and condolences may be found at: www.duffy-poule.com.