Cynthia Ann Rodrigues

Cynthia Ann (Botelho) Rodrigues, 81, of Westport, passed away on January 1, 2026, at her home.

    She was the beloved wife of the late John Rodrigues.

    Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Botelho and the late Laurine (De Sousa Mathews) Botelho.

    She retired from UNITE-HERE, AFL-CIO and was one of the first female business agents on the New England Joint Board. She was President of the Greater Southeastern Massachusetts Labor Council for 30 years and held many labor seats during that time. She was Chairperson, Steering Committee and an Advisory Board Member with the University of Massachusetts/Dartmouth Labor Education Center; prior to being elected President of the Labor Council she was elected Secretary-Treasurer of New Bedford/Cape Cod Labor Council; and was also Vice President, Massachusetts AFL-CIO-Boston, representing Southeastern Massachusetts until she retired in 2017. She was a woman who loved being social and active in her community, notably supporting the Wish Come True organization. In her free time, she found great enjoyment in camping, playing Bingo, and spending quality time out with her friends.

    She is survived by her sister, Valerie Viveiros; her niece and nephews, Deborah Sivigny, Victor Vieira, and Keith Vieira; as well as several great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews.

    A visitation will be held Thursday, January 8, 2026 from 4 to 7 PM at the Oliveira Funeral Home - South Main Street Chapel, 2064 South Main Street in Fall River.

    Her funeral will be held Friday, January 9, 2026 at 9:45 AM at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM at Our Lady of Grace Church, Westport. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River.