Maria F. DaPonte

Maria F. (Valadao-Furtado) DaPonte, 81, of Pleasant St., Fall River, formerly of Fountain St., died Friday at Charlton Memorial Hospital. She was the wife of the late Francisco DaPonte.
Born in Vila Nordeste, St. Michael, Azores, she was a daughter of the late Jose and Maria Conceicao (Valadao) Furtado; she lived in Fall River since 1971. Mrs. DaPonte worked as a sewing machine operator at the former Darwood Mfg. She was a member of Santo Christo Church.
She is survived by six daughters, Maria M. Simas, Maria I. Cordeiro, Maria C. Pereira, Rose M. Botelho and Dorothy DaPonte, all of Fall River and Ana M. Beleda of Somerset; a sister, Maria de Jesus Macedo of Fall River; two brothers, Manuel Furtado and Mario Furtado, both of Fall River; 18 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was the mother of the late Nicolau DaPonte.
Her funeral will be held Wednesday at 8 a.m. from the Oliveira Funeral Home, 215 Columbia Street, followed by a Funeral Mass at 9 a.m. in Santo Christo Church. Interment in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours Tuesday 5-9 p.m.