Maria E. Sousa

Pawtucket - Maria Ermelinda (Goulart) Sousa, 84, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2026, at home surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of Manuel “Soisinha” Francisco Sousa for sixty-two years. Born in Monte, Pico, Azores, she was the daughter of the late Francisco Goulart and Rosa daConceicao Goulart.

Maria worked as an Assembler for Raytheon Defense Systems and was a parishioner of St. Anthony Parish in Pawtucket. She was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother who took great pride in providing her family with a loving home. Maria enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. A talented cook, she was known for her delicious sweetbreads, jams, and recipes, and loved gathering with her family every Sunday for dinner. In her earlier years, Maria played the guitar and danced the Chamarrita in folklore competitions for her home island of Pico. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed planting various flowers, especially in her yard. Maria was also a talented crocheter and seamstress; often highly sought after for her bedspreads and tablecloths. She leaves behind a legacy of love, talent, hard work, and dedication.

She is survived by her beloved children, Aurea DeSousa of Pawtucket, Victor Sousa of Attleboro, and Paul Sousa of Pawtucket, three grandchildren, Caleb DeSousa-Lemos, Evan Sousa, and Oatis Sousa, and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her late husband Manuel Francisco Sousa, her brother, Francisco C. Goulart and her late nephew, Frank Goulart.

The FUNERAL will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 10:00AM from the WILLIAM W. TRIPP Funeral Home, 1008 Newport Ave, Pawtucket with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00AM at St. Anthony Parish, 32 Lawn Ave, Pawtucket. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Providence.

VISITATION will be held at the Funeral Home on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 5:00PM-7:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: LINDA SOUSA A BETTER DREAM FOUNDATION INC 996 West St, Attleboro, MA 02703.

www.TrippFuneralHome.com