Maria da Purificação Machado

      Maria da Purificação (da Silva) Machado, 84, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, July 27, at Lar Idosos in Graciosa, Azores. She was the beloved wife of the late Jose Maria Machado, who passed away in 2006.

      She was born in Graciosa, Azores, on February 27, 1939, daughter of the late Jose Jerónimo da Silva and Maria da Purificação da Silva. She was raised and educated there, prior to immigrating to the United States, making her home in Peabody.

       Prior to her retirement she had worked as a seamstress for many years.  She was also a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church and the Azorean Brotherhood of the Divine Holy Ghost Society, both in Peabody. She enjoyed cooking a variety of Portuguese food, camping, but the most important aspect in her life was her family. She cherished them and enjoyed taking care and spending time with her grandchildren. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

       She is survived by her children and their spouses, Maria da Luz Bettencourt and her husband, Celestino of Peabody, Jose Manuel Machado and his wife Vicky of Peabody, Jose Maria Machado and his wife Teresa, of Merrimack, NH; her grandchildren, Steven Bettencourt, Kevin and his wife Christina, Amy Kefalas and her husband P.J., Nicole Stephens and her husband Matt, Christopher Machado, Michael Machado, Marco Machado, and Domenic Machado; her great-grandchildren, Colby, Amelia, Juliet, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was predeceased by her siblings, Jose Correia da Silva and Manuel Jerónimo da Silva.

          Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 5, at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 10 Chestnut St., Peabody from 7:30-9:30A.M., followed by a funeral mass in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1 Margin St., Peabody at 10 A.M. She will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Holy Ghost Society, 20 Howley St. Peabody, MA 01960.

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