Helen Shirley Miranda

Mrs. Helen Shirley Miranda, 89, of Fall River, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, August 7, 2026.

    Born on June 1, 1937 in Brooklyn, NY, Shirley (as she was lovingly known) was the beloved daughter of the late Antone F. Souza and Helen (Cooper) Souza.

    Shirley was the widow of Antone P. Miranda Jr., and is survived by her children, Antone P. Miranda III (wife Suzanne) of Florida, Anne Miranda Sirois of Florida, Thomas H. Miranda of Fall River and James J. Miranda (wife Kim) of Freetown. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Helen M. Johnson.

    She is survived by her grandchildren, Vickie, Victor, Francis, Nicole, Thomas, Alexandria, James and Dylan. Her great-grandchildren Connor, Katie, Vanessa, Savanah, Abigail, Grace, Francis, Peter, Miranda, Leland and Nathan.

    Shirley retired from the Fall River School Department, she loved working with children as a teacher’s assistant and later in school enrollment.

    She expressed her love in countless ways, but especially through her cooking, food was her love language, and her kitchen was a place where everyone felt cared for and welcome. She found joy in crocheting, reading and word puzzles, but her greatest joy was her family. She was known for her kindness, generosity, wonderful sense of humor, quiet strength, and, above all, her deep and devout Catholic faith. She lived her vocation as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother with unwavering love and selflessness. She will be deeply missed.

    She is also survived by her sisters, Dorothy O’Melia of Swansea, Evelyn Gauthier of Fall River and her brother, Antone F. Souza III of Maryland, she was preceded in death by her sister Virginia Daponte.

    Her visitation will be held Friday, August 14, 2026, from 8:30 - 10:30 AM from the Oliveira Funeral Home, 215 Columbia Street, Fall River.

    Her Funeral Mass will follow at 11 AM, at Santo Christo Church. Interment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery.